PAHO calls on Latin American and Caribbean countries to improve access to essential cancer medicines and supplies – PAHO/WHO

Washington, DC, February 3, 2025 (PAHO) – On the eve of World Cancer Day (February 4), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) urges governments in Latin America and the Caribbean to prioritize access to essential medicines of cancer, supplies and equipment. Cancer remains one of the main causes of death in the region of the Americas, claiming the lives of more than 1.4 million people and resulted in more than 4 million new cases annually.

Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, director of Paho, emphasized the need to improve access to treatment. «We must work towards a future in which no one is without the attention of cancer they need to survive,» he said. «Improving equitable access to these treatments is essential for better results and quality of life.»

While they have progressed, there are still several barriers, including high costs, inefficient acquisition systems and limited distribution networks. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach, which includes updated treatment protocols and grouped acquisitions to increase predictability and address the high price of cancer medications.

Inequality in the treatment of childhood cancer

The disparity in childhood cancer care is particularly worrying. In Latin America and the Caribbean, it is estimated that around 30,000 children and adolescents under 19 will be diagnosed with cancer every year. Of these, almost 10,000 will die from the disease. In high -income countries, more than 80% of cancer children are cured, but in many low and medium -sized countries, the cure rate is around 20%. «The gap in survival rates is largely due to limited access to affordable medications and guaranteed quality,» said Dr. Mauricio Maza, Paho regional advisor on cancer.

Paho also continues his work with global partners to improve childhood care. Through the global platform for access to children’s cancer medicines, Paho is working with WHO, the children’s research hospital in St. Jude and UNICEF to guarantee a continuous supply of affordable and quality cancer medicines Low and medium income countries (LMIC). In 2024, Pah signed an agreement with St. Jude to implement the platform in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the aim of climbing access efforts and strengthening the national planning and acquisition capacity, including the improvement of chain resilience of supply for treatments against childhood cancer. These associations are critical to close the survival gap for children in LMIC.

Paho’s strategic background is a key tool to improve access to cancer medications. «We urge all countries in the region to better use this resource, which offers essential cancer medications, as well as human papillomava tests (HPV) for uterine cervical cancer detection and treatment devices prior to cervical cancer, critical tools necessary necessary tools for the elimination of cervical cancer. » Dr. Barbosa added.

Cervical cancer elimination: an attainable objective

Cervical cancer continues to claim the life of around 40,000 women in the Americas every year, but with appropriate strategies: vaccination, detection and treatment of HPV, it could be eliminated as a public health problem. Cervical cancer is one of the more than 30 diseases and related conditions that the PAHO aims to eliminate as part of its disease elimination initiative.

To achieve this, three objectives must be met by 2030: reach the coverage of 90% of HPV vaccination in girls at 15 years of age; 70% detection coverage with high precision tests in women at 35 and 45 years of age; and guarantee that 90% of precancerous lesions and cases of invasive cancer receive treatment.

In the region, 48 of 51 countries and territories have already introduced HPV vaccination, and half of them use the single dose scheme, which increases absorption and coverage. Paho supports countries to access the HPV vaccine at affordable prices through its renewable fund and is promoting the adoption of HPV tests for detection, which most countries have already begun to implement. Although many are still in the early stages, four countries have already incorporated these tests in their national programs. Finally, Paho, with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Unitaid, has donated thermal ablation devices for the treatment of precancerous lesions in seven countries.

World Cancer Webinar

To commemorate World Cancer Day, Paho will organize a virtual seminar on February 4, 2025, at 11:00 am (EST, Washington DC Time), with experts, health officials from Argentina and Ecuador, and key organizations that argue Challenges and solutions in Cancer Care. The Web Seminar will focus on improving access to oncological medications and supplies in the region. Click here to register.