A comprehensive survey of cancer medicines prices, availability and affordability in Ghana

INTRODUCTION: In Ghana, prices for cancer medicines are characterized by high retail markups, forex fluctuations and high variation in prices of medicines. Most patients cannot afford the cancer medicines. There is a problem of unaffordability and limited availability of essential cancer medicines which suggests potential inequity in patient access to cancer medicines. The study objective was to assess the prices, availability, and affordability of cancer medicines in Ghana. Prices of cancer medicines are a major contributor to the cost of treatment for cancer patients and the comparison of these cost was assessed to determine the affordability. METHOD: The methods developed and standardized by the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the Health Action International (HAI), was adapted and used to measure prices, availability, and affordability of cancer medicines in Ghana. The availability of cancer medicines was assessed as percentage of health facilities stocked with listed medicines. The price of cancer medicines (of different brands as well as the same medicine manufactured by different pharmaceutical industries) available in the public hospitals, private hospitals, and private pharmacies was assessed, and the percentage variation in prices was calculated. Medicine prices were compared with the Management Sciences Health’s International Reference Prices to obtain a Median Price Ratio (MPR). The affordability of cancer medicines was determined using the treatment cost of a course of therapy for cancer conditions in comparison with the daily wage of the unskilled Lowest-Paid Government Worker. RESULTS: Overall availability of cancer medicines was very low. The availability of Lowest Priced Generic (LPG) in public hospitals, private hospitals, and private pharmacies was 46%, 22%, and 74% respectively. The availability of Originator Brand (OB) in public hospitals, private hospitals, and private pharmacies was 14%, 11%, and 23% respectively. The lowest median price [United States Dollars (USD)] for the LPG was 0.25, and the highest median price was 227.98. For the OB, the lowest median price was 0.41 and the highest median price was 1321.60. The lowest and highest adjusted MPRs of OBs and LPGs was 0.01 and 10.15 respectively. Some prices were 20.60 times more expensive. Affordability calculations showed that patients with colorectal and multiple myeloma cancer would need 2554 days wages (5286.40 USD) and 1642 days wages (3399.82 USD) respectively to afford treatment. CONCLUSION: The availability of cancer medicines was very low, and less than the WHO target of 80%. There were considerable variations in the prices of different brands of cancer medicines, and affordability remains suboptimal, as most patients cannot afford the cancer medicines. Comprehensive policies, regulations and multifaceted interventions that provides tax incentives, health insurance, and use of generics to improve cancer medicines availability, prices, and affordability, for the masses should be developed and implemented in Ghana.