Increasing access to quality anticancer medicines in low- and middle-income countries – the experience of Uganda

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death with 9.6 million deaths registered in 2018, of which 70% occur in Africa, Asia and Central and South America, the low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). The global annual expenditure on anticancer medicines increased from $96 billion in 2013 to $133 billion in 2017. This growth rate is several folds that of newly diagnosed cancer cases and therefore estimated to reach up to $200 billion by 2022. The Uganda Cancer Institute, Uganda's national referral cancer center, has increased access to cancer medicines through an efficient and cost-saving procurement system. The system has achieved cost savings of more than USD 2,000,000 on a total of 37 of 42 essential cancer medicines. This has resulted in 85.8% availability superseding the WHO's 80% target. All selected products were procured from manufacturers with stringent regulatory authority approval or a proven track record of quality products.

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Is there scope for cost savings and efficiency gains in HIV services? A systematic review of the evidence from low- and middle-income countries

Bulletin of the World Health Organization ◽

10.2471/blt.13.127639 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 92 (7) ◽

pp. 499-511AD ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

Mariana Siapka ◽

Michelle Remme ◽

Carol Dayo Obure ◽

Claudia B Maier ◽

Karl L Dehne ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Cost Savings ◽

Efficiency Gains ◽

Middle Income ◽

Hiv Services ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Low And Middle Income

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Addressing cost and time barriers in chronic disease management through telemedicine: an exploratory research in select low- and middle-income countries

Therapeutic Advances in Chronic Disease ◽

10.1177/2040622319891587 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

pp. 204062231989158 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Saleem Sayani ◽

Momina Muzammil ◽

Karima Saleh ◽

Abdul Muqeet ◽

Fabiha Zaidi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Disease ◽

Cost Savings ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

P Value ◽

Middle Income ◽

Low Resource ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Disease Outcomes ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Low And Middle Income

Background: Despite evidence supporting telehealth provision in developed countries, there is limited evidence regarding its economic benefits for patients living in areas where access and cost present major barriers to health care, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study explores the economic benefits of telemedicine for patients, in terms of cost and times savings, and its potential role in improving chronic disease outcomes. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study compared telemedicine services with hypothetical in-person consultations, with a focus on patient travel time and travel cost savings. A database containing teleconsultation visits ( N = 25,182) conducted at health facilities in remote regions of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and the Kyrgyz Republic, was analyzed. A two-sample homoscedastic t test was used to determine differences between the two groups. A one-way sensitivity analysis was also conducted, presuming in-person teleconsultations at 90%, 75%, and 50%. Results: The study extracted data from 25,182 teleconsultation visits (12,814 males; 12,368 females). The cumulative patient savings through the program amounted to USD 9,175,132, and 1,876,146 h, or 213.1 years. A significant difference was seen between the two groups in terms of mean time savings ( p-value <0.05), and a nearly significant difference was observed in terms of mean cost savings ( p-value = 0.05). Conclusions: This study suggests that considerable economic benefits imparted to patients in low-resource settings of LMICs via accessing telemedicine. Telemedicine has great potential to improve chronic disease outcomes in low-resource areas by reducing socioeconomic barriers related to cost and access, and increasing uptake of services, thereby enabling early intervention and long-term management.

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