American Cancer Society Helps Kenya Secure Cheap Cancer Drugs

The American Cancer Society (ACS) and Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) have helped Kenya enter into a deal with two global drug manufacturers, Pfizer and Cipla. The deal will see Kenya purchase up to 16 cancer drugs at half the market price.

This deal will see a tremendous increase in access to life-saving cancer treatment including chemotherapies in five other African countries including Ethiopia, Nigeria Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania.

Pfizer will supply Kenya with 11 branded cancer medicines; Carboplatin, Cisplatin, Docetaxel, Doxorubicin, Epirubicin, Fluorouracil, Gemcitabine, Leucovorin, Methotrexate, Oxaliplatin, and Paclitaxel, While Cipla will cover Anastrazole, Bleomycin, Capecitabine, Carboplatin, Cisplatin, Cytarabine, Oxaliplatin and Vinblastine.

“Every person with cancer deserves access to treatment, no matter where they live. Collaborating with companies like Pfizer and Cipla is a critical next step toward leveling the playing field for people with cancer and saving lives in this part of the world,” said ACS chief executive, Gary M Reedy. “ACS is committed to making sure that the progress we have made in the US is not limited to our borders,” he added.

According to medical statistics, 44 per cent of all reported cancer cases in sub-Saharan Africa per year occur in these six countries.

The Kenya Network of Cancer Organizations chairman, David Makumi lauded the initiative, noting that it will ease the financial burden on patients receiving chemotherapy.