Challenges of Making Cancer Treatment Affordable in India

India struggles to make CAR T-cell therapy affordable, lacking approved treatments despite global advancements. The first approved therapy, NexCAR19, was developed in collaboration with IIT Bombay but is still expensive. The path to accessibility requires collaboration and innovation, with potential societal implications if costs decrease.

In recent years, CAR T-cell therapy, which enables the immune system to combat cancer effectively, has gained traction globally, yet India fails to keep pace. The U.S. approved its first therapy in 2017, and China followed suit in 2021, while India remains without an approved option or the capacity to produce one. Currently, the cost of CAR T-cell therapy in India is exorbitantly high, with treatments costing as much as a two-bedroom flat in Mumbai, or approximately ₹3 to ₹4 crores when pursued abroad.

India, a global leader in providing affordable generic medicines, could have pioneered affordable cancer treatments. Instead, the lack of a substantive response is evident. Until recently, patients forced to seek treatment overseas have faced ludicrous costs. However, a breakthrough has emerged with the development of India’s first CAR T-cell therapy, NexCAR19, which was approved in 2023, thanks to collaborative efforts between IIT Bombay and Tata Memorial Centre. Priced at ₹50 lakh, it still remains costly but is significantly lower than international pricing.

The core issue now is whether India can reduce the cost of CAR T-cell therapy to become widely accessible. Comparatively, kidney dialysis costs around ₹4 lakh annually, with transplants priced between ₹10 and ₹15 lakh; affordable cancer treatment could shift the medical landscape. The IIT Bombay initiative proves the technological potential exists, but collaboration among medical establishments, research institutions, and private sectors is essential for scaling production.

Siddhartha Mukherjee, a noted oncologist, emphasizes the need for a blend of science, economics, and political commitment to make CAR T-cell therapy affordable. Dr. Ravi Nayar expresses hope that advancements in artificial intelligence and startup innovations will drive down costs significantly, highlighting the global implications of affordable therapy.

Cancer diagnosis often leads to financial hardship for Indian families, forcing them to expend life savings and resort to loans to fund exorbitant treatments with little assurance of success. Making CAR T-cell therapy affordable could thus reshape cancer treatment, potentially ending the reliance on chemotherapy. Although India is late in this technological race, its scientific community and talent pool position it to redefine the future of cancer therapy.

India faces significant challenges in making cancer treatments like CAR T-cell therapy affordable, despite its potential and existing scientific capabilities. The approval of NexCAR19 offers hope, but scaling production and collaboration among health sectors are crucial to reducing costs. Making this therapy accessible could revolutionize cancer treatment and alleviate financial burdens faced by families across the country. As India progresses, it has the opportunity to lead in the future of medicine globally.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com