Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39434081›Full record

ReviewInternational journal for equity in health2024

Investigating the availability, affordability, and market dynamics of innovative oncology drugs in Morocco: an original report.

Nada Benhima, Leila Afani, Mohammed El Fadli, Ismail Essâdi, Rhizlane Belbaraka

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in International journal for equity in health, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Nada BenhimaMedical Oncology Department, VI University Hospital, Marrakech, Mohammed, 40000, Morocco. nada.benhima@edu.uca.ac.ma.ORCID 0000-0002-3032-2751
Leila AfaniMedical Oncology Department, VI University Hospital, Marrakech, Mohammed, 40000, Morocco.
Mohammed El FadliMedical Oncology Department, VI University Hospital, Marrakech, Mohammed, 40000, Morocco.
Ismail EssâdiFaculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, 40000, Morocco.
Rhizlane BelbarakaMedical Oncology Department, VI University Hospital, Marrakech, Mohammed, 40000, Morocco.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe cost of cancer drugs presents a significant challenge to accessibility of treatment worldwide. Projections indicate that by 2040, two-thirds of cancer cases will occur in low- and middle- income countries. Paradoxically, despite this impending burden, LMICs command less than 5% share of global resources for treating cancer. Morocco, like many LMICs, faces significant obstacles in providing innovative cancer treatments to its population.

aimFirstly, we aimed to conduct an original research investigating the availability and affordability of innovative cancer drugs in Morocco. Secondly, we sought to review the broader market dynamics, pricing, and reimbursement policies in the country.

methodsFor the first objective, we identified a preliminary list of medicines approved for oncological indications in the Moroccan market based on resources from ANAM (National Agency for Health Insurance), pharmacy regulators, and online resources that compile information on approved medicines. For the second objective, we exhaustively reviewed the regulatory documents, legal texts and grey literature reports. All the informations were examined by pharma delegates and local experts.

resultsAs of January 2024, Morocco has 39 innovative anticancer medicines with market authorization. 30% of these drugs were approved after 2020. The majority of approved drugs were for breast, lung, colorectal, and prostate cancer. The period between FDA approval and entry into the Moroccan market ranges from 2 to 7 years, with a median of 3 years for breast cancer drugs and 7 years for more expensive drugs like Olaparib and Osimertinib. 22 out of the 39 drugs are not reimbursed, with an average reimbursement time of 4 years. Compared to prices in France, the most notable pricing disparities concern immunotherapy agents, priced 600 to 900 euros lower in France, while drugs like Pazopanib and Erlotinib cost 50% less in Morocco.

conclusionOur study reveals significant disparities in the availability and affordability of innovative cancer drugs in Morocco. Regulatory hurdles, importation challenges, and pricing strategies contribute to this inequitable landscape. Addressing systemic barriers, fostering collaborations between stakeholders, and adopting a value-based pricing approach are imperative steps toward ensuring equitable access to high-quality interventions for patients, regardless of their geographical location.

Indexed as

Antineoplastic AgentsHealth Services AccessibilityDrug CostsHumansMoroccoNeoplasmsAntineoplastic AgentsAccessibilityAffordabilityCancer drugsHealth policyMorocco

Identifiers

PMID39434081
PMCPMC11492621

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.