Most Expensive Cancer Drugs In India: What To Know?
Cancer is one of the most expensive diseases to treat, particularly in developing and least developed countries. Here is an overview of the most expensive cancer drugs in India, what factors contribute to their high prices and how it impacts the treatment of patients with cancer.
Most Expensive Cancer Drugs In India
Cancer can affect any part of the body when cells start growing abnormally in an uncontrolled manner. The most common cancers in India are breast cancer, lip and oral cavity cancer, cervix uteri cancer, lung cancer, and colorectal cancer. The treatment options for cancer include surgery, anti-cancer medicines and radiation therapy.
Anti-cancer medicines are powerful chemicals that kill or stop the quickly multiplying cancer cells. They can be used alone or in combination with other cancer treatment options depending on the stage of cancer.
In general, cancer treatment is carried out in cycles, ranging from six, ten or twelve cycles or even more based on the condition and stage. Cost may vary based on the medication and treatment. In the case of targeted or immunotherapy drugs, the cost might be very high. (up to five lakhs per cycle).
Let’s Look On The Details Of Some Of The Expensive Cancer Drugs In India
S.no | Drug name | Strength & Unit | MRP | Manufacturer Name | Indication |
1. | Obinutuzumab | 1000mg/40ml | 399305 | Roche | Blood cancer |
2. | Pertuzumab | 420mg/14ml | 275562 | Roche | Breast cancer |
3. | Atezolizumab | 840mg/14ml | 277708 | Roche | Bladder, liver, breast, and lung cancer |
4. | 400mg/16ml | 117625 | Cipla Ltd | Breast, kidney, lungs, colon, rectum, ovary, fallopian tube, & abdominal cancer | |
5. | Osimertinib | 10 tablets in a strip (80mg) | 151670 | AstraZeneca | Lung cancer |
6. | Ado-trastuzumab emtansine | 160mg/8ml | 254825 | Roche |
Breast cancer |
7. | Pembrolizumab | 100mg/4ml | 197250 | MSD | Cancers of skin, kidney, blood, colon, rectum, uterus, breast, food pipe, lungs, and head. |
8. | Ibrutinib | 140mg (120 capsules in a bottle) | 436000 | Janssen-Cilag SpA | Blood cancer |
9. | 100mg (21 capsules in a strip) | 95000 | Pfizer | Breast cancer | |
10. | Nivolumab | 40mg/4ml | 39800 | Bristol Myers Squibb | Cancers of skin, lung, kidney, blood, head, urinary tract, food pipe, stomach, colon and rectal |
Why Are Cancer Medicines Costly?
Numerous factors contribute to the high price of cancer drugs in India. One of the major factors is the cost involved in drug development. Before a drug reaches the market, it must go through a lot of trials and research, which involves huge investment in terms of cost and time. Millions of dollars and many years are spent in research to design a drug molecule and their market costs are highly based on that.
Multiple effective drugs are usually developed for less-complex and curable conditions. This creates genuine competition among manufacturers resulting in getting those medicines at reasonable prices. The seriousness of the disease and the high cost of generic cancer medicines also make treatment costly.
Government initiatives such as Jan Aushadhi Scheme and Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana and patient assistance programs offered by certain manufacturers can help reduce the financial burden involving cancer treatments in India.
Reduce The Cancer Burden: An Ounce Of Prevention Is Worth A Pound Of Cure
The World Health Organization says that thirty to fifty percent of cancers can currently be prevented by eliminating the risk factors such as cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, obesity, lack of physical activity and a insufficient. Screening tests such as mammograms can find cancers at very early stages, which can make the cure and effective treatment possible.
Include more plant-based foods in your diet, stay physically active and be at a healthy weight. Stay aware of screenings and vaccinations and have them at the right time.
Read more to know about potential cancer reducing and cancer-causing foods.
