ArticleBMC pediatrics2025
Access to pediatric oncology medicine in Iran: a cross-sectional survey in Urmia.
Article in BMC pediatrics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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.
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.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundCancer stands as a significant cause of mortality among children and adolescents, imposing a considerable burden on global healthcare. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports a stark imbalance in the accessibility of cancer medicines between low-income and high-income countries. Due to high prevalence of cancer in Iran and current barriers to access to oncology medicines, this study aims to scrutinize the landscape of pediatric oncology medicine access, considering unique factors such as sanctions and Iran’s economic context.
methodsThis study was conducted in Urmia (West Azerbaijan, Iran) in 2022. We employed a descriptive cross-sectional design to explore the availability, pricing, and affordability of 21 outpatient medications related to the five most utilized treatment protocols for prevalent pediatric cancers. A systematic survey was carried out using the recognized methodologies of the WHO and Health Action International (HAI). Data extraction was conducted by a trained student using the checklist provided by the WHO. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software.
resultsAmong the 21 medicines analyzed, 14 had accessibility rates that were below 50%, with one entirely unavailable and 10 exhibiting availability below 25%. Dactinomycin highlighted the highest Median Price Ratio at 4.1, closely followed by Asparaginase at 3.9. Conversely, Cytarabine, Cyclophosphamide, and Filgrastim displayed the lowest Median Price Ratios (MPR) values, each recording an MPR of 0.1. In the assessment of affordability, it is observed that insured patients across all income deciles have the financial means to cover the minimum costs of medicines. Intriguingly, among the various income deciles, only individuals in the 10th decile exhibit the financial capacity to acquire medicines associated with the examined treatment regimens without insurance coverage, with the exception of the ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) regimen.
conclusionThis study illuminates the complex challenges surrounding the availability, cost, and affordability of pediatric cancer medications in Urmia, Iran. It is crucial to develop supportive policies that aim to lower medication expenses for patients and improve their access to cancer treatments. Tackling these challenges necessitates a collaborative effort involving stakeholders, policymakers, and healthcare providers.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
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.