Science and Affordability of Cancer Drugs and Radiotherapy in the World - Win-Win Scenarios

Closing the Cancer Divide Through Ubuntu: Information and Communication Technology-Powered Models for Global Radiation Oncology

“…The NCI currently has a funding mechanism for supporting such research, and this should be encouraged for both developed countries and LMIC researchers. Elzawawy has recently highlighted some of such resource sparing, cost-effective radiation therapy techniques and methodologies that would lead to increase affordability of radiation therapy cancer care for more patients who are in need (23). …”

One More Proposal to Allocate Resources for the Win-Win Approaches to Increase the Affordability of Cancer Drugs and Radiotherapy in the World

“…In December, 2007, The Win-Win scientific initiative was first proposed by Experts in cancer without borders of the International Campaign for Establishment and Development of Oncology Centres (ICEDOC) [6,10]. In 29 April, 2016, The WinWin Initiative joined Harvard Global Health Catalyst GHC and becomes one of its activities.…”

“…This also aims at progress of science and flourishing the business of pharmaceutical companies and manufacturers of radiotherapy equipment and medical devices without ruining a country or individuals economies [6].…”

“…This plan implies 80% affordability of essential cancer drugs and medicine by the year 2020 worldwide [5]. Today in 2017, after 4 years of the 7 years plans, there is no sign of any remarkable progress toward achievement of the objective.If the movement continue in the same way of reports, conferences, commissions, task forces , that end with reporting the tragic situation and data, with calls and plans of actions to improve the picture by 2020 0r 2025 , but without focused and globally coordinated scientific works to explore unlimited approaches to resource sparing and cost effective care and with shortage of practical tactics that consider the incentives and interests of all stakeholders and mobilisation of every possible resources ; financial and human resources and allies in win-win scenarios that cope with the real world, then it is expected that the problem will tragically escalate in the upcoming 10 years particularly in LMICs [6]. In addition to the lack of foreseen remarkable increase of radiotherapy and medical oncology services, there are -among others causes-the increase in cancer incidence and prevalence in LMICs partially due to increase in population, increase of life expectancy , lower mortality due to communicable in comparison to non-communicable diseases and change of life style [7,8].…”

“…In 29 April, 2016, The WinWin Initiative joined Harvard Global Health Catalyst GHC and becomes one of its activities. The first wing of the initiative aims at the increase of affordability of value based cancer treatment in the world by exploring scientific avenues that result in cost saving and scientific allocation of resources without compromising the overall outcome and quality of life of patients [6,9].In fact , the problem of skyrocketing increase in cost and lack of access of cancer care is touching high income countries too. There are frightful predictions for the future of cancer care in the USA [11,12].…”