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Joosse IR, van den Ham HA, Mantel-Teeuwisse AK, Suleman F. A proposed analytical framework for qualitative evaluation of access to medicines from a health systems perspective. BMC Res Notes 2024; 17:159. [PMID: 38849915 PMCID: PMC11161921 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-024-06764-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Despite global recognition that access to medicines is shaped by various interacting processes within a health system, a suitable analytical framework for identifying barriers and facilitators from a system's perspective was needed. We propose a framework specifically designed to find drivers to access to medicines from a country's health system perspective. This framework could enable the systematic evaluation of access across countries, disease areas and populations and facilitate targeted policy development. This framework is the byproduct of a larger study on the barriers and facilitators to childhood oncology medicines in South Africa. RESULTS Eight core (pharmaceutical) functional processes were identified from existing frameworks: (I) medicine regulation, (II) public financing and pricing, (III) selection, (IV) reimbursement, (V) procurement and supply, (VI) healthcare delivery, (VII) dispensing and (VIII) use. National contextual components included policy and legislation and health information systems. To emphasize the interlinkage of processes, the proposed framework was structured as a pharmaceutical value chain. This framework focusses on national processes that are within a country's control as opposed to global factors, and functional mechanisms versus a country's performance or policy objectives. Further refinement and validation of the framework following application in other contexts is encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- I R Joosse
- Utrecht WHO Collaborating Centre for Pharmaceutical Policy and Regulation, Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, Utrecht, 7324, 3584 CG, The Netherlands
| | - H A van den Ham
- Utrecht WHO Collaborating Centre for Pharmaceutical Policy and Regulation, Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, Utrecht, 7324, 3584 CG, The Netherlands.
| | - A K Mantel-Teeuwisse
- Utrecht WHO Collaborating Centre for Pharmaceutical Policy and Regulation, Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, Utrecht, 7324, 3584 CG, The Netherlands
| | - F Suleman
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Pharmaceutical Policy and Evidence Based Practice, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Joosse IR, van den Ham HA, Mantel-Teeuwisse AK, Suleman F. Alignment in the registration, selection, procurement and reimbursement of essential medicines for childhood cancers in South Africa. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:e012309. [PMID: 37730243 PMCID: PMC10846849 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The effectiveness of a health system in providing access to medicines is in part determined by the alignment of several core pharmaceutical processes. For South Africa's public health sector, these include the registration of medicines, selection and subsequent procurement through national tenders. Registration, selection and reimbursement are key processes in the private sector. This study assessed the alignment of forementioned processes for essential paediatric oncology medicines in South Africa. METHODS A selection of priority chemotherapeutics, antiemetics and analgesics in the treatment of five prevalent childhood cancers in South Africa was compared with those listed in 1) the WHO Essential Medicines List for Children (WHO EMLc) 2021, 2) the registered health products database of South Africa, 3) the relevant South African National Essential Medicines Lists (NEML), 4) bid packs and awarded tenders for oncology medicines for 2020 and 2022 and 5) oncology formularies from the leading Independent Clinical Oncology Network (ICON) and two private sector medical aid schemes. Consistency between these sources was assessed descriptively. RESULTS There was full alignment for 25 priority chemotherapeutics for children between the NEML, the products registered in South Africa and those included on tender. Due to unsuccessful procurement, access to seven chemotherapeutics was potentially constrained. For antiemetics and analgesics, eight of nine active ingredients included on the WHO EMLc were also registered in South Africa and on its NEML. An exploratory assessment of private sector formularies showed many gaps in ICON's formulary and two medical scheme formularies (listing 33% and 24% of the chemotherapeutics, respectively). CONCLUSION Despite good alignment in public sector pharmaceutical processes, access constraints to essential chemotherapeutics for children may stem from unsuccessful tenders. Private sector formularies show major gaps; however, it is unclear how this translates to access in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris R Joosse
- Utrecht WHO Collaborating Centre for Pharmaceutical Policy and Regulation, Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hendrika A van den Ham
- Utrecht WHO Collaborating Centre for Pharmaceutical Policy and Regulation, Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Aukje K Mantel-Teeuwisse
- Utrecht WHO Collaborating Centre for Pharmaceutical Policy and Regulation, Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Fatima Suleman
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Pharmaceutical Policy and Evidence Based Practice, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Petricca K, Kambugu J, Githang'a J, Macharia WM, Njuguna F, McLigeyo A, Nyangasi M, Orem J, Kanyamuhunga A, Laiti R, Katabalo D, Schroeder K, Rogo K, Maguire B, Wambui L, Nkurunziza JN, Wong B, Neposlan J, Kilawe L, Gupta S, Denburg AE. Access to essential cancer medicines for children: a comparative mixed-methods analysis of availability, price, and health-system determinants in east Africa. Lancet Oncol 2023; 24:563-576. [PMID: 37023781 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(23)00072-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Access to essential childhood cancer medicines is a core determinant of childhood cancer outcomes. Available evidence, although scarce, suggests that access to these medicines is highly variable across countries, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries, where the burden of childhood cancer is greatest. To support evidence-informed national and regional policies for improved childhood cancer outcomes, we aimed to analyse access to essential childhood cancer medicines in four east African countries-Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda-by determining the availability and price of these medicines and the health system determinants of access. METHODS In this comparative analysis, we used prospective mixed-method analyses to track and analyse the availability and price of essential childhood cancer medicines, investigate contextual determinants of access to childhood cancer medicines within and across included countries, and assess the potential effects of medicine stockouts on treatment. Eight tertiary care hospitals were included, seven were public sites (Kenyatta National Hospital [KNH; Nairobi, Kenya], Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Referral and Teaching Hospital [JOORTH; Kisumu, Kenya], Moi University Teaching and Referral Hospital [MTRH; Eldoret, Kenya], Bugando Medical Centre [BMC; Mwanza, Tanzania], Muhimbili National Hospital [MNH; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania], Butaro Cancer Centre of Excellence [BCCE; Butaro Sector, Rwanda], and Uganda Cancer Institute [UCI; Kampala, Uganda]) and one was a private site (Aga Khan University Hospital [AKU; Nairobi, Kenya]). We catalogued prices and stockouts for 37 essential drugs from each of the eight study siteson the basis of 52 weeks of prospective data that was collected across sites from May 1, 2020, to Jan 31, 2022. We analysed determinants of medicine access using thematic analysis of academic literature, policy documents, and semi-structured interviews from a purposive sample of health system stakeholders. FINDINGS Recurrent stockouts of a wide range of cytotoxic and supportive care medicines were observed across sites, with highest mean unavailability in Kenya (JOORTH; 48·5%), Rwanda (BCCE; 39·0%), and Tanzania (BMC; 32·2%). Drugs that had frequent stockouts across at least four sites included methotrexate, bleomycin, etoposide, ifosfamide, oral morphine, and allopurinol. Average median price ratio of medicines at each site was within WHO's internationally accepted threshold for efficient procurement (median price ratio ≤1·5). The effect of stockouts on treatment was noted across most sites, with the greatest potential for treatment interruptions in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma, retinoblastoma, and acute lymphocytic leukaemia. Policy prioritisation of childhood cancers, health financing and coverage, medicine procurement and supply chain management, and health system infrastructure emerged as four prominent determinants of access when the stratified purposive sample of key informants (n=64) across all four countries (Kenya n=19, Rwanda n=15, Tanzania n=13, and Uganda n=17) was interviewed. INTERPRETATION Access to childhood cancer medicines across east Africa is marked by gaps in availability that have implications for effective treatment delivery for a range of childhood cancers. Our findings provide detailed evidence of barriers to access to childhood cancer medicine at multiple points in the pharmaceutical value chain. These data could inform national and regional policy makers to optimise cancer medicine availability and affordability as part of efforts to improve childhood cancer outcomes specific regions and internationally. FUNDING American Childhood Cancer Organization, Childhood Cancer International, and the Friends of Cancer Patients Ameera Fund.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kadia Petricca
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Joyce Kambugu
- Department of Paediatric Oncology, Uganda Cancer Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jessie Githang'a
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - William M Macharia
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Festus Njuguna
- Department of Child Health and Paediatrics, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Angela McLigeyo
- Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, Oncology, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Mary Nyangasi
- National Cancer Control Program, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jackson Orem
- Department of Paediatric Oncology, Uganda Cancer Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Aimable Kanyamuhunga
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences University of Rwanda, Child Health, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Rehema Laiti
- Muhimbili National Hospital, Oncology, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | | | - Khama Rogo
- African Institute for Health Transformation, Luanda, Kenya
| | - Bryan Maguire
- Biostatistics, Design and Analysis, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lucy Wambui
- Institute of Anthropology and Gender Studies, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jean N Nkurunziza
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences University of Rwanda, Child Health, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Bryan Wong
- School of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Joshua Neposlan
- Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Lilian Kilawe
- Department of Public Health, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Sumit Gupta
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of Haematology/Oncology, Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Avram E Denburg
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of Haematology/Oncology, Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Cawich SO, Narayansingh G, Ramdass MJ, Mencia M, Thomas DA, Barrow S, Naraynsingh V. Responses to disrupted operative care during the coronavirus pandemic at a Caribbean hospital. World J Meta-Anal 2022; 10:74-80. [DOI: 10.13105/wjma.v10.i3.74] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus pandemic was thrust upon all nations in the year 2020 and required swift public health responses. Resource-poor health care facilities, such as those in the Caribbean, were poorly prepared but had to respond to the threat. In this experience report we examined the response by the surgical specialty to evaluate the lessons learned and to identify positive changes that may continue post-pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamir O Cawich
- Department of Surgery, Port of Spain General Hospital, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Gordon Narayansingh
- Department of Surgery, Port of Spain General Hospital, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Michael J Ramdass
- Department of Surgery, Port of Spain General Hospital, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Marlon Mencia
- Department of Clinical Surgical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Joseph, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Dexter A Thomas
- Department of Surgery, Port of Spain General Hospital, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Shaheeba Barrow
- Department of Surgery, Port of Spain General Hospital, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Vijay Naraynsingh
- Department of Surgery, Port of Spain General Hospital, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
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Denburg AE, Fundytus A, Khan MS, Howard SC, Antillon-Klussmann F, Sengar M, Lombe D, Hopman W, Jalink M, Gyawali B, Trapani D, Roitberg F, De Vries EGE, Moja L, Ilbawi A, Sullivan R, Booth CM. Defining Essential Childhood Cancer Medicines to Inform Prioritization and Access: Results From an International, Cross-Sectional Survey. JCO Glob Oncol 2022; 8:e2200034. [PMID: 35749676 PMCID: PMC9259119 DOI: 10.1200/go.22.00034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Access to essential cancer medicines is a major determinant of childhood cancer outcomes globally. The degree to which pediatric oncologists deem medicines listed on WHO's Model List of Essential Medicines for Children (EMLc) essential is unknown, as is the extent to which such medicines are accessible on the front lines of clinical care. METHODS An electronic survey developed was distributed through the International Society of Pediatric Oncology mailing list to members from 87 countries. Respondents were asked to select 10 cancer medicines that would provide the greatest benefit to patients in their context; subsequent questions explored medicine availability and cost. Descriptive and bivariate statistics compared access to medicines between low- and lower-middle-income countries (LMICs), upper-middle-income countries (UMICs), and high-income countries (HICs). RESULTS Among 159 respondents from 44 countries, 43 (27%) were from LMICs, 79 (50%) from UMICs, and 37 (23%) from HICs. The top five medicines were methotrexate (75%), vincristine (74%), doxorubicin (74%), cyclophosphamide (69%), and cytarabine (65%). Of the priority medicines identified, 87% (27 of 31) are represented on the 2021 EMLc and 77% (24 of 31) were common to the lists generated by LMIC, UMIC, and HIC respondents. The proportion of respondents indicating universal availability for each of the top medicines ranged from 9% to 46% for LMIC, 25% to 89% for UMIC, and 67% to 100% for HIC. Risk of catastrophic expenditure was more common in LMIC (8%-20%), compared with UMIC (0%-28%) and HIC (0%). CONCLUSION Most medicines that oncologists deem essential for childhood cancer treatment are currently included on the EMLc. Barriers remain in access to these medicines, characterized by gaps in availability and risks of catastrophic expenditure for families that are most pronounced in low-income settings but evident across all income contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avram E Denburg
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Adam Fundytus
- Division of Cancer Care and Epidemiology, Queen's University Cancer Research Institute, Kingston, Canada
| | - Muhammad Saghir Khan
- Department of Paediatrics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Al Madinah Al Munawarrah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Scott C Howard
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
| | - Federico Antillon-Klussmann
- School of Medicine, Francisco Marroquin University, Guatemala, Guatemala.,Unidad Nacional de Oncologia Paediatrica, Guatemala, Guatemala
| | - Manju Sengar
- Department of Medical Oncology, Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, India
| | - Dorothy Lombe
- Department of Radiation Oncology, MidCentral District Health Board, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Wilma Hopman
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Matthew Jalink
- Division of Cancer Care and Epidemiology, Queen's University Cancer Research Institute, Kingston, Canada.,Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Bishal Gyawali
- Division of Cancer Care and Epidemiology, Queen's University Cancer Research Institute, Kingston, Canada.,Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada.,Department of Oncology, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Dario Trapani
- Division of Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Felipe Roitberg
- Department of Noncommunicable Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Elisabeth G E De Vries
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Lorenzo Moja
- Department of Health Products Policy and Standards, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - André Ilbawi
- Department of Health Products Policy and Standards, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Richard Sullivan
- Institute of Cancer Policy, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher M Booth
- Division of Cancer Care and Epidemiology, Queen's University Cancer Research Institute, Kingston, Canada.,Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada.,Department of Oncology, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
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Brown GW, Bridge G, Martini J, Um J, Williams OD, Choupe LBT, Rhodes N, Ho ZJM, Chungong S, Kandel N. The role of health systems for health security: a scoping review revealing the need for improved conceptual and practical linkages. Global Health 2022; 18:51. [PMID: 35570269 PMCID: PMC9107590 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-022-00840-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Practical links between health systems and health security are historically prevalent, but the conceptual links between these fields remain under explored, with little on health system strengthening. The need to address this gap gains relevance in light of the COVID-19 pandemic as it demonstrated a crucial relationship between health system capacities and effective health security response. Acknowledging the importance of developing stronger and more resilient health systems globally for health emergency preparedness, the WHO developed a Health Systems for Health Security framework that aims to promote a common understanding of what health systems for health security entails whilst identifying key capacities required. METHODS/ RESULTS To further explore and analyse the conceptual and practical links between health systems and health security within the peer reviewed literature, a rapid scoping review was carried out to provide an overview of the type, extent and quantity of research available. Studies were included if they had been peer-reviewed and were published in English (seven databases 2000 to 2020). 343 articles were identified, of those 204 discussed health systems and health security (high and medium relevance), 101 discussed just health systems and 47 discussed only health security (low relevance). Within the high and medium relevance articles, several concepts emerged, including the prioritization of health security over health systems, the tendency to treat health security as exceptionalism focusing on acute health emergencies, and a conceptualisation of security as 'state security' not 'human security' or population health. CONCLUSION Examples of literature exploring links between health systems and health security are provided. We also present recommendations for further research, offering several investments and/or programmes that could reliably lead to maximal gains from both a health system and a health security perspective, and why these should be explored further. This paper could help researchers and funders when deciding upon the scope, nature and design of future research in this area. Additionally, the paper legitimises the necessity of the Health Systems for Health Security framework, with the findings of this paper providing useful insights and evidentiary examples for effective implementation of the framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garrett Wallace Brown
- grid.9909.90000 0004 1936 8403School of Politics and International Studies (POLIS), University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT UK
| | - Gemma Bridge
- grid.4868.20000 0001 2171 1133Institute of Population Health Sciences, Centre for Clinical Trials & Methodology, Queen Mary University London, London, E1 2AD UK
| | - Jessica Martini
- grid.4989.c0000 0001 2348 0746School of Public Health, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jimyong Um
- grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XDepartment of Government and International Relations, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Owain D. Williams
- grid.9909.90000 0004 1936 8403School of Politics and International Studies (POLIS), University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT UK
| | | | - Natalie Rhodes
- grid.9909.90000 0004 1936 8403School of Politics and International Studies (POLIS), University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT UK
| | - Zheng Jie Marc Ho
- grid.3575.40000000121633745World Health Organisation, WHO Health Emergencies Program, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Stella Chungong
- grid.3575.40000000121633745World Health Organisation, WHO Health Emergencies Program, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nirmal Kandel
- grid.3575.40000000121633745World Health Organisation, WHO Health Emergencies Program, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
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Peacocke EF, Myhre SL, Foss HS, Gopinathan U. National adaptation and implementation of WHO Model List of Essential Medicines: A qualitative evidence synthesis. PLoS Med 2022; 19:e1003944. [PMID: 35275938 PMCID: PMC8956172 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization Model List of Essential Medicines (WHO EML) has played a critical role in guiding the country-level selection and financing of medicines for more than 4 decades. It continues to be a relevant evidence-based policy that can support universal health coverage (UHC) and access to essential medicines. The objective of this review was to identify factors affecting adaptation and implementation of WHO EML at the national level. METHODS AND FINDINGS We conducted a qualitative evidence synthesis by searching 10 databases (including CINAHL, Embase, Ovid MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science) through October 2021. Primary qualitative studies focused on country-level implementation of WHO EML were included. The qualitative findings were populated in the Supporting the Use of Research Evidence (SURE) framework, and key themes were identified through an iterative process. We appraised the papers using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool and assessed our confidence in the findings using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation working group-Confidence in Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research (GRADE-CERQual). We screened 1,567 unique citations, reviewed 183 full texts, and included 23 studies, from 30 settings. Non-English studies and experiences and perceptions of stakeholders published in gray literature were not collected. Our findings centered around 3 main ideas pertaining to national adaptation and implementation of WHO EML: (1) the importance of designing institutions, governance, and leadership for national medicines lists (NMLs), particularly the consideration of transparency, coordination capacity, legislative mechanisms, managing regional differences, and clinical guidance; (2) the capacity to manage evidence to inform NML updates, including processes for contextualizing global evidence, utilizing local data and expert knowledge, and assessing budget impact, to which locally relevant cost-effectiveness information plays an important role; and (3) the influence of NML on purchasing and prescribing by altering provider incentives, through linkages to systems for financing and procurement and donor influence. CONCLUSIONS This qualitative evidence synthesis underscores the complexity and interdependencies inherent to implementation of WHO EML. To maximize the value of NMLs, greater investments should be made in processes and institutions that are needed to support various stages of the implementation pathway from global norms to adjusting prescribed behavior. Moreover, further research on linkages between NMLs, procurement, and the availability of medicines will provide additional insight into optimal NML implementation. PROTOCOL REGISTRY PROSPERO CRD42018104112.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth F. Peacocke
- Global Health, Division for Health Services, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sonja L. Myhre
- Global Health, Division for Health Services, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Unni Gopinathan
- Global Health, Division for Health Services, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
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Boateng R, Petricca K, Tang B, Parikh S, SinQuee-Brown C, Alexis C, Browne-Farmer C, Reece-Mills M, Salmon SM, Bodkyn C, Gupta S, Maguire B, Denburg AE. Determinants of access to childhood cancer medicines: a comparative, mixed-methods analysis of four Caribbean countries. LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH 2021; 9:e1314-e1324. [PMID: 34416215 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(21)00287-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Equitable access to essential medicines is a key facet of childhood cancer care, recognised by WHO as vital to improved childhood cancer outcomes globally. In the Caribbean, childhood cancer outcomes are poorer than those in most high-income countries. We aimed to generate in-depth comparative evidence of the current challenges and opportunities related to access to childhood cancer medicines in the Caribbean to identify context-sensitive health systems strategies to improve drug access and inform evidence-based paediatric cancer policies in the region. METHODS In this convergent, parallel, mixed-methods study, we mapped and analysed the determinants of access to childhood cancer medicines in four Caribbean countries (The Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago). We analysed contextual determinants of access to medicines within and across study site jurisdictions, alignment of childhood cancer medicine inclusion between each country's national essential medicines list (NEML) and WHO's 2017 Essential Medicines List for Children, and availability and cost of chemotherapeutic agents at five tertiary care hospitals. We used a mixed-effects logistic regression model to analyse the association of medicine price, procurement efficiency (via median price ratio [MPR]), and site with drug availability. The fixed effect evaluated the effect of site and MPR on the probability of stockout in a given month. We assessed determinants of medicine access via thematic analysis of semi-structured qualitative interviews, literature, and policy documents. FINDINGS We collected and analysed data for 28 childhood cancer medicines from Barbados, 32 from The Bahamas, 30 from Trinidad and Tobago, and 31 from Jamaica. Despite stepwise inclusion of childhood cancer medicines in NEMLs, all four countries had frequent and recurrent stockouts for many cytotoxic medicines, showing no consistent relationship between NEML inclusion and availability. A mean MPR of greater than 3·0 in Trinidad and Tobago, The Bahamas, and Barbados suggests uniformly high procurement inefficiency, resulting in significant effects on drug stockout days. For each one unit increase in MPR the adjusted odds ratio (OR) of stockout increased by 10% (adjusted OR 1·10, 95% CI 1·04-1·16; p<0·01). These challenges in access to childhood cancer medicines stem from health system and policy dynamics at institutional, national, and supranational levels that cause price volatility and erratic medicine availability. Key challenges include disparate policy commitments (eg, among sites), inefficient procurement and supply chain management practices, and local effects of international market pressures. INTERPRETATION The Caribbean region exemplifies deficiencies in access to childhood cancer medicines that might be overcome by improved regional harmonisation of drug registration, pharmacovigilance, and procurement alongside national forecasting to strengthen global pharmaceutical planning and prioritisation. Focused political attention to address these challenges is required to ensure efficient, reliable, and sustained availability of cancer mediciness. FUNDING The SickKids-Caribbean Initiative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhonda Boateng
- The SickKids-Caribbean Initiative, Centre for Global Child Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kadia Petricca
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Brandon Tang
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Supriya Parikh
- Biostatistics, Design, and Analysis, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Corrine SinQuee-Brown
- Princess Margaret Hospital, University of the West Indies School of Clinical Medicine and Research, The Bahamas
| | | | | | - Michelle Reece-Mills
- University of the West Indies Hospital, University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica
| | | | - Curt Bodkyn
- Child Health Unit, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Sumit Gupta
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of Haematology/Oncology, Department of Paediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Bryan Maguire
- Biostatistics, Design, and Analysis, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Avram E Denburg
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of Haematology/Oncology, Department of Paediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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9
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Mensah KB, Mensah ABB, Bangalee V, Padayachee N, Oosthuizen F. Evaluating essential medicines for treating childhood cancers: availability, price and affordability study in Ghana. BMC Cancer 2021; 21:683. [PMID: 34112117 PMCID: PMC8191136 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-08435-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Access to childhood cancer medicines is a critical global health challenge. There is a lack of sufficient context-specific data in Ghana on access to essential medicines for treating childhood cancers. Here, we present an analysis of essential cancer medicine availability, pricing, and affordability using the pediatric oncology unit of a tertiary hospital as the reference point. Method Data on prices and availability of 20 strength-specific essential cancer medicines and eight non-cancer medicines were evaluated using the modified World Health Organization (WHO)/Health Action International method. Two pharmacies in the hospital and four private pharmacies around the hospital were surveyed. We assessed their median price ratio using the WHO international reference price guide. The number of days wages per the government daily wage salary was used to calculate the affordability of medicines. Results The mean availability of essential cancer medicines and non-cancer medicines at the hospital pharmacies were 27 and 38% respectively, and 75 and 84% respectively for private pharmacies. The median price ratio of cancer medicines was 1.85, and non-cancer medicines was 3.75. The estimated cost of medicines for treating a 30 kg child with Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia was GHȻ 4928.04 (US$907.56) and GHȻ 4878.00 (US$902.62) for Retinoblastoma, requiring 417 and 413-days wages respectively for the lowest-paid unskilled worker in Ghana. Conclusion The mean availability of cancer medicines at the public and private pharmacies were less than the WHO target of 80%. The median price ratio for cancer and non-cancer medicines was less than 4, yet the cost of medicines appears unaffordable in the local setting. A review of policies and the establishment of price control could improve availability and reduce medicines prices for the low-income population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kofi Boamah Mensah
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Science, College of Health Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. .,Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, University Road, Durban, South Africa.
| | - Adwoa Bemah Boamah Mensah
- Department of Nursing, College of Health Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Varsha Bangalee
- Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, University Road, Durban, South Africa
| | - Neelaveni Padayachee
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Frasia Oosthuizen
- Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, University Road, Durban, South Africa
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10
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Hughes TM, Empringham B, Wagner AK, Ward ZJ, Yeh J, Gupta S, Frazier AL, Denburg AE. Forecasting essential childhood cancer drug need: An innovative model-based approach. Cancer 2021; 127:2990-3001. [PMID: 33844270 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.33568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood cancer outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries have not kept pace with advances in care and survival in high-income countries. A contributing factor to this survival gap is unreliable access to essential drugs. METHODS The authors created a tool (FORx ECAST) capable of predicting drug quantity and cost for 18 pediatric cancers. FORx ECAST enables users to estimate the quantity and cost of each drug based on local incidence, stage breakdown, treatment regimen, and price. Two country-specific examples are used to illustrate the capabilities of FORx ECAST to predict drug quantities. RESULTS On the basis of domestic public-sector price data, the projected annual cost of drugs to treat childhood cancer cases is 0.8 million US dollars in Kenya and 3.0 million US dollars in China, with average median price ratios of 0.9 and 0.1, respectively, compared with costs sourced from the Management Sciences for Health (MSH) International Medical Products Price Guide. According to the cumulative chemotherapy cost, the most expensive disease to treat is acute lymphoblastic lymphoma in Kenya, but a higher relative unit cost of methotrexate makes osteosarcoma the most expensive diagnosis to treat in China. CONCLUSIONS FORx ECAST enables needs-based estimates of childhood cancer drug volumes to inform health system planning in a wide range of contexts. It is broadly adaptable, allowing decision makers to generate results specific to their needs. The resultant estimates of drug need can help equip policymakers and health governance institutions with evidence-informed data to advance innovative procurement strategies that drive global improvements in childhood cancer drug access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terence M Hughes
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, Massachusetts.,Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Brianna Empringham
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anita K Wagner
- Division of Health Policy and Insurance Research, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Zachary J Ward
- Center for Health Decision Science, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jennifer Yeh
- Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sumit Gupta
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - A Lindsay Frazier
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Avram E Denburg
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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11
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Githang'a J, Brown B, Chitsike I, Schroeder K, Chekwenda-Makore N, Majahasi F, Ogundoyin O, Renner L, Petricca K, Denburg AE, Horton SE, Gupta S. The cost-effectiveness of treating childhood cancer in 4 centers across sub-Saharan Africa. Cancer 2020; 127:787-793. [PMID: 33108002 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.33280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The treatment of childhood cancer often is assumed to be costly in African settings, thereby limiting advocacy and policy efforts. The authors determined the cost and cost-effectiveness of maintaining childhood cancer centers across 4 hospitals throughout sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS Within hospitals representing 4 countries (Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe), cost was determined either retrospectively or prospectively for all inputs related to operating a pediatric cancer unit (eg, laboratory costs, medications, and salaries). Cost-effectiveness was calculated based on the annual number of newly diagnosed patients, survival rates, and life expectancy. RESULTS Cost per new diagnosis ranged from $2400 to $31,000, attributable to variances with regard to center size, case mix, drug prices, admission practices, and the treatment abandonment rate, which also affected survival. The most expensive cost input was found to be associated with medication in Kenya, and medical personnel in the other 3 centers. The cost per disability-adjusted life-year averted ranged from 0.3 to 3.6 times the per capita gross national income. Childhood cancer treatment therefore was considered to be very cost-effective by World Health Organization standards in 2 countries and cost-effective in 1 additional country. In all centers, abandonment of treatment was common; modeling exercises suggested that public funding of treatment, additional psychosocial personnel, and modifications of inpatient policies would increase survival rates while maintaining or even improving cost-effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS Across various African countries, childhood cancer treatment units represent cost-effective interventions. Cost-effectiveness can be increased through the control of drug prices, appropriate policy environments, and decreasing the rate of treatment abandonment. These results will inform national childhood cancer strategies across Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessie Githang'a
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Biobele Brown
- Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University College Hospital, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Inam Chitsike
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Kristin Schroeder
- Department of Pediatrics and Global Health, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Nester Chekwenda-Makore
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | - Olakayode Ogundoyin
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University College Hospital, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Lorna Renner
- Department of Child Health, University of Ghana School of Medicine and Dentistry, Accra, Ghana
| | - Kadia Petricca
- Unit for Policy and Economic Research in Childhood Cancer, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Avram E Denburg
- Unit for Policy and Economic Research in Childhood Cancer, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sue E Horton
- Unit for Policy and Economic Research in Childhood Cancer, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sumit Gupta
- Unit for Policy and Economic Research in Childhood Cancer, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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