Anna Avagyan on Armenia’s ACT4Children Program and Genetic Risk Clinics
At the “Essential Medicines for Children with Cancer: From Access to Action” virtual forum hosted by OncoDaily, Dr. Anna Avagyan discussed Armenia’s ACT4Children implementation and genetic predisposition clinic model.
As Head of the Karina Cancer Predisposition Clinic at the Yeolyan Hematology and Oncology Center, she described how Armenia is integrating genetic screening into routine care for children with cancer.
Key Takeaways from Anna Avagyan’s Talk
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Limited Access in LMICs
Armenia, like many low- and middle-income countries, struggles with access to high-cost cancer medications, relying heavily on charitable foundations. Expensive treatments are reserved for high-risk patients due to financial constraints, showing the tough decisions clinicians must make. -
Quality Matters
Concerns over the quality of previously available Pegaspargase led to a shift toward more trusted formulations provided by Servier. -
Real Challenges Behind Treatment Abandonment
Families sometimes choose to seek care abroad, contributing to treatment abandonment — not always due to lack of access, but due to perceived quality differences. -
Patient Navigation is Crucial
Introducing patient navigators is helping to reduce abandonment and support families throughout treatment. -
Big Step: Joining Act4Children
Armenia officially joined the initiative in October 2024, signaling commitment to improving access, outcomes, and equity. Pre-program assessments led by Prof. Scott Howard identified key causes of treatment failure and helped tailor Armenia’s involvement in the Act4Children program. -
Research and Registry Development Underway
Armenia has launched multicenter studies and is building an international registry to inform policy and care quality. -
Recognition and Opportunity
Armenia was named a focus country in December 2024 for the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines — a major opportunity to scale access to more treatments. -
Vision for the Future
The country aims to expand access, enhance infrastructure, and strengthen national strategies to reduce treatment abandonment and support better care delivery.
About the Forum
The Essential Medicines for Children with Cancer: From Access to Action by OncoDaily focuses on the WHO Essential Medicines List for Children, the new applications including Blinatumomab and Temozolomide, the challenges different low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are facing with the access to medications and the role of initiatives such as ACT4Children and the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines (GPACCM).
Missed the live session? Catch the full forum recording on our YouTube channel.
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