Liliana Vasquez, Childhood Cancer Technical Officer at Pan American Health Organization, shared a post on LinkedIn about a recent article she and her colleagues co-authored, adding:
“A few days ago, we published a regional study assessing access, availability, and quality of essential medicines for childhood cancer from the perspective of healthcare providers.
Nineteen countries in Latin America participated, with 148 health professionals from 137 institutions.
Some key findings:
- Access to pediatric oncology medicines in Latin America is unequal across countries and subregions
- High frequency of stockouts, especially in low- and middle-income countries
- Medicines with the greatest shortages: vinorelbine, arsenic trioxide, and procarbazine
- Although 70% report public financing, delays, coverage denial, and out-of-pocket payments by families persist
- 1 in 2 professionals reported quality issues (toxicity or lack of effectiveness)
- Public hospitals face greater challenges than private ones
- Civil society plays a key role in provision and advocacy
- Improvements in financing, health systems, and regulation are needed to ensure equitable access
- Efforts such as the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines are relevant to help change this landscape.”
Guillermo Chantada, Head of the Outreach Program at Hospital Sant Joan de Déu and Scientific Director of the Perez Scremini Foundation, shared this post, adding:
“Very nice work about access to essential drugs in Latin America. Congratulations to all involved!”
Title: Regional Landscape of Access, Availability, and Quality of Essential Pediatric Oncology Medicines in Latin America: Results From a Multicountry Survey
Authors: Liliana Vasquez, Edith Grynzspancholc, Diana Valencia, Milena Villaroel, Soad Fuentes Alabí, Claudia Sampor, Mauricio Maza
Read the Full Article on Pediatric Blood and Cancer
Other articles featuring Liliana Vasquez on OncoDaily.
