Because of its prohibitive cost, over the past six months, more patients have been prescribed immunotherapy, one of the newer advances in cancer treatment that has remained beyond the reach of many. Mumbai: A quiet shift is underway in cancer care in India.
But the cost of cancer treatment could come down further following National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority’s move, effective Nov 8, to cap trade margins on 137 anti-cancer medicines. The measure is projected to generate annual savings of Rs 2,500 crore and could offer relief across a range of treatments.
The change has been driven mainly by the availability of a cheaper version of nivolumab, a key immunotherapy drug that Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) doctors say is “effective in 25 tumours and has about 100 indications”. “Earlier barely five out of 100 patients had long-term survival, but survival has now increased to 50% with immunotherapy,” said Dr Kumar, adding that some patients diagnosed with advanced lung cancer are now living for five years or longer. The patient will have his native organ intact,” said Dr Kumar.
Another factor is Indian research, including studies by TMC, suggesting that lower doses may work well in Indian patients in certain settings, potentially reducing treatment costs. MSI-high colorectal cancer is another example of where immunotherapy can offer an alternative to conventional treatment in selected patients. But if he comes in early stages, then only immunotherapy works.
“A patient of MSI-high type of colon cancer would earlier need chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery.
People who were earlier unsure whether they could afford a cycle costing over a lakh of rupees are comfortable with the new price tag of Rs 30,000,” Dr Shaikh told TOI . “My patients are responding well to the drug. Dr Kumar Prabhash, head of medical oncology at Tata Memorial Hospital in Parel, points to the gains immunotherapy has brought in some cancers, particularly melanoma, or skin cancer.
For Dr Bajpai, the real test is whether advances in medical and precision oncology reach patients regardless of their ability to pay. Cheaper biosimilars and evidence-based dosing strategies offer a way forward, but their promise will be realised only if lower costs translate into meaningful access to treatment.