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Government Slashes Prices for Targeted Cancer Drugs
Context:
In the Budget for 2024-25, the union government announced that customs duties on three specific cancer drugs namely, trastuzumab deruxtecan, osimertinib, and durvalumab will be removed by replacing the earlier 10% duty.
More on news:
- These drugs are manufactured by AstraZeneca.
- The exemption is expected to make these drugs more affordable and accessible to cancer patients in India.
- Reduces the financial burden on patients and families.
- Even a Rs 12,000 price reduction can help with additional expenses such as nutrition and medical tests.
- Oncologists view this move as beneficial, noting that even a small price decrease can significantly impact patient affordability and access.
Targeted Cancer Drugs:
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Details of the Three Drugs:
Trastuzumab Deruxtecan:
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- An antibody-drug conjugate combining a monoclonal antibody with a drug. It targets HER-2 receptors on cancer cells.
- Uses: Treats HER-2 positive breast cancer and certain gastrointestinal cancers.
- Approval: First drug in its class to receive tissue-agnostic approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA).
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Osimertinib:
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- It blocks epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) in lung cancer cells.
- Uses: Treats lung cancers with EGFR mutations; can be used post-surgery or as a first-line treatment.
- Benefits: Extends patient survival by four to five years and targets mutations in 25-30% of non-smoking women with lung cancer.
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Durvalumab:
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- It is an immunotherapy that targets PD-L1 proteins on cancer cells, enhancing the immune system’s ability to detect and kill cancer cells.
- Uses: Treats lung, biliary tract, bladder, and liver cancers.
- Benefits: Improves remission rates and prolongs survival.
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Cancer Profile in India:
- Statistics: An estimated 14.6 lakh new cancer cases were detected in 2022, up from 14.2 lakh in 2021, and 13.9 lakh in 2020, according to the National Cancer Registry data.
- The number of deaths due to cancer increased to an estimated 8.08 lakh in 2022, up from 7.9 lakh in 2021, and 7.7 lakh in 2020.
- Women: Higher incidence (103.6 per 100,000) compared to men (94.1 per 100,000).
- Common Cancers:
- Men: Lung, mouth, prostate, tongue, stomach.
- Women: Breast, cervix, ovary, uterus, lung.
- Lifetime Risk: One in nine Indians will develop cancer, one in 68 men will develop lung cancer, and one in 29 women will develop breast cancer.
Overview of Cancer:
- Definition: Cancer is a group of diseases where normal cells transform into cancerous cells that multiply uncontrollably and can invade and destroy surrounding tissues.
- How Cancer Starts: Cancer begins with gene mutations that turn normal cells into cancerous ones, forming tumours that may spread via the lymphatic system or bloodstream.
- Normal Cells: Grow and divide in a controlled manner, follow programmed cell death, stay in place, and grow at a normal rate.
- Cancerous Cells: Multiply uncontrollably, ignore cell death signals, can spread to other body parts, and grow rapidly.
- Early Symptoms: Unexplained weight loss, chronic tiredness, persistent pain, night fever, skin changes.
- Advanced Symptoms: Easy bruising, persistent lumps, breathing or swallowing difficulties.
- Causes: Cancer is caused by genetic mutations in cell-regulating genes. Inherited mutations account for 5-12% of cancers, while acquired mutations, due to lifestyle, environmental exposures, and health conditions, are more common.
Efforts to Address Rising Cancer Cases in India:
- Prime Minister’s Vision: Emphasises that citizens across India should have unrestricted access to central government schemes, embodying the spirit of “One Nation, One Health.”
- The Government of India launched the National Cancer Control Program (NCCP) in 1975, and revised the strategies during 1984–1985 which stressed on primary prevention and early detection of cancer.
- The National Cancer Grid is a network of major cancer centres, research institutes, patient groups, and charities across India.
- It aims to standardise cancer care, offer specialised training in oncology, and promote collaborative research in cancer.
- In the Interim Budget 2024, the government proposed the vaccination programme for the girls in the age group of 9 to 14 years for prevention of cervical cancer.
- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)
- Efforts to discourage the use of tobacco, a key risk factor for cancer.
- Significant focus on oncology in AIIMS established under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY).
- Six operational AIIMS (Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Jodhpur, Patna, Raipur, Rishikesh) with cancer treatment facilities.
- Establishment of State Cancer Institutes (SCIs) and Tertiary Care Cancer Centres.
- PM-DevINE Initiative: Establishment of dedicated cancer services at Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati, and seven new cancer hospitals across Assam.
- Centre for Integrative Oncology (CIO): Established by AIIMS and NICPR-ICMR in February 2017 for collaborative cancer research.
