Alignment in the registration, selection, procurement and reimbursement of essential medicines for childhood cancers in South Africa

Abstract

IntroductionThe 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.MethodsA 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.ResultsThere 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).ConclusionDespite 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.

Access to childhood cancer medicines in South Africa: a health systems analysis of barriers and enablers

“…While some participants reported having well-organised supply systems and no problems acquiring products outside of the NEML, others faced significant obstacles in getting access to products that are not on the NEML. This barrier may apply to more novel, biological therapeutics in particular, with the majority of traditional chemotherapeutics already listed on the NEML (Joosse et al, 2023 ). Nonetheless, the regional disparity in access highlights the importance of the NEML in providing access to medicines.…”

Abstracts from the 5th PPRI conference 2024: ensuring access to affordable medicines through innovative policies, Vienna, Austria, 25–26 April 2024

“…Results: There was full alignment for all 25 priority chemotherapeutics for children between the NEML, the products registered in South Africa and those included on tender, indicating good operationalization of pharmaceutical policies and processes in the public sector (Joose et al, 2023 ). However, due to unsuccessful procurement, access to seven chemotherapeutics was potentially constrained.…”