Building Bridges: Navigating the complex landscape of medicine access and equity in Southeast Asia
In an ideal world, the fundamental right to quality and affordable healthcare would be accessible to all, regardless of geographical location or timing. It is a vision that embodies equality, compassion, and the belief that every individual deserves the best possible medical care. However, despite significant advancements in the field of medicine, this ideal remains elusive.
These barriers, as we see it, can be rooted in various factors, such as financial limitations, geographical remoteness, or inadequate healthcare infrastructure. As a result, disparities persist, preventing individuals from receiving the timely and quality care they deserve. The journey towards achieving universal access to healthcare is an ongoing endeavor. It requires collective efforts from governments, healthcare providers, organizations, and individuals alike.
In the Philippines, to address persistent challenges in providing quality and affordable medicine to underserved populations, the Philippine Medicines Policy (PMP) for 2022–2030 was enacted as a roadmap focusing on sustainable access to essential medicines and reducing health-related out-of-pocket expenses. In line with this initiative, the inaugural Access to Medicines Summit in 2022 united various stakeholders with a shared goal of ensuring accessibility in alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Moving the discussion forward, this year, the Access to Medicines Summit 2024 happening on February 6 and 7, at Diamond Hotel Philippines aims to showcase best practices from across Southeast Asia, foster collaboration, develop blueprints, advocate for policy changes, and engage diverse stakeholders. Themed “Building Bridges: A Blueprint for Collaborative and Innovative Access to Medicines,” the summit seeks to achieve equitable access by bringing together representatives from health groups, financing institutions, NGOs, government offices, and pharmaceutical companies.
Barriers to Medicine
In Southeast Asia, the crucial link between medicine accessibility and public health equity is strained, adversely impacting health outcomes in countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines. A recent study identified key obstacles, including low government health spending, dependence on external funding, challenges in implementing social health insurance, healthcare access disparities, inadequate facilities, lack of information, education and awareness. Beyond issues of underfunding and fragmented insurance schemes, there are notable barriers such as geographical inaccessibility, limited awareness, and the scarcity of medicines for rare diseases.
Governments in Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Laos, despite their commendable efforts to support medicine and public health accessibility, face various circumstances that limit their ability to allocate a more substantial proportion of their total budgets to health. This allocation challenge unfortunately may pose obstacles in achieving significant progress towards the noble goal of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This underfunding results in cost shifts to providers and patients, contributing to medical impoverishment. Incomplete insurance coverage in some countries forces out-of-pocket payments, exacerbating financial burdens. Fragmented health insurance schemes and varying benefits across age and socioeconomic groups contribute to inequities.
Effective medicine distribution and accessibility within countries require enhancements to supply chain management, distribution networks, and overcoming logistical challenges. Additionally, addressing challenges in healthcare infrastructure and capacity, including research and development, is crucial for a comprehensive patient journey.
Access to medicines best practices
In the face of increasing incomes across the developing world, the challenge of affordability continues to cast a shadow over access to life-changing medicines. However, there is a beacon of hope that shines brightly on the horizon: national reimbursement programs. These programs hold the key to overcoming the affordability barrier, but they require time to fully mature. For example, Takeda has taken upon itself to lead the way in bridging the affordability gap for registered therapies. Through its sustainable approach, the organization strives to ensure that no one is left behind when it comes to accessing the innovative medicines they need.
Vietnam, like many countries, faces the challenge of high healthcare costs, with health services accounting for an average of 60-70% of household income. This financial strain often places life-saving medicines beyond the reach of many individuals and families.
Recognizing the financial burden that often accompanies innovative treatment options, Takeda launched its first-ever Patient Assistance Program (PAP) in Vietnam in January 2023, aiming to bridge the affordability gap for patients battling Hodgkin lymphoma, a rare cancer that affects the lymphatic system. Takeda’s PAP in Vietnam stands as a pioneering effort in the country. Unlike traditional approaches, Takeda’s PAP takes a patient-centric approach, determining the support required on an individual basis. This personalized approach guarantees that eligible patients can receive the complete course of treatment prescribed by their physicians, regardless of their financial circumstances. Meanwhile, Takeda also has implemented a similar Patient Assistance Program (PAP) in the Philippines, which has provided assistance to over 700 patients who would have otherwise been unable to afford the necessary treatment.
In the Philippines, the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA) Localization Summit, organized by the Cancer Warriors Foundation Inc. (CWFI) aims to address the cancer care delivery gap by fostering multistakeholder and intersectoral alliances at selected project sites. The two-day summit covered topics such as strategies for localizing the NICCA among Local Government Units (LGUs), government strategies for managing cancer, introduction of the Philippine Cancer Center, and strategies employed by LGUs, health institutions, and development partners in managing cancer.
Addressing the challenges related to accessing medicines goes beyond financial considerations. While the affordability of medications is a crucial aspect, the broader perspective acknowledges the importance of raising awareness and providing education.
Bridging the healthcare gap
In the realm of healthcare, knowledge is power. Promoting health literacy and emphasizing the importance of proper medication use are key factors in empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their well-being. Educational initiatives play a vital role in fostering responsible medication practices, ultimately leading to a reduction in avoidable healthcare expenses.
Health literacy goes beyond simply understanding medical jargon; it encompasses the ability to comprehend health information, evaluate its reliability, and apply it to make informed decisions.
A noteworthy example of prioritizing health education and awareness, particularly in the context of blood cancer, is currently unfolding in the Philippines. The Lymphoma Awareness Philippines, Inc. (Lymphoma Philippines) has launched the Blood Cancer Alliance of the Philippines in conjunction with the World Lymphoma and Blood Cancer Awareness Month last year. The Blood Cancer Alliance of the Philippines is a powerful collaboration between Lymphoma Philippines and EPCALM Adult Leukemia Foundation of the Philippines, Kanser sa Adolescents and Young Adults Community / KAYA Community, The Carewell Community Foundation, Touched by Max Inc, Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations, Hematology Department at the UST Hospital, Philippine College of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, and Takeda Healthcare Philippines Inc.
This alliance was formed to address issues faced by Filipino blood cancer patients, improving access to information and support, and enhancing the overall experience and outcomes for individuals living with blood cancer. Through innovative initiatives like the LymphomaQR project, they are leveraging on digital solutions to provide timely and accurate information to patients and the wider public, transforming health education and awareness in the process.
The importance of health literacy extends beyond basic comprehension of medical information. It plays a crucial role in emphasizing the proper use of medications, ensuring individuals have a comprehensive understanding of their purpose, dosage, potential side effects, and interactions. Having this knowledge empowers individuals to make informed decisions regarding their treatment and enables them to understand their medications better, reducing the likelihood of medication errors and improving overall health and well-being.
Addressing the multifaceted challenge of access to medicines requires collaborative efforts involving the government, pharmaceutical industry, healthcare providers, patient groups, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Effective healthcare policies play a crucial role in bridging the access to medicine gap by implementing various strategies. One approach involves expanding the availability of over the counter (OTC) drugs, empowering individuals to address primary healthcare needs independently. Additionally, policies can focus on bolstering healthcare infrastructure by establishing more facilities like hospitals, community health centers, and pharmacies, thereby improving accessibility. Moreover, investments in the training and education of health practitioners contribute to a more skilled workforce capable of providing quality primary healthcare services. Through cohesive teamwork, sustainable solutions can be developed, and effective policies implemented, ensuring a focus on the diverse healthcare needs of the population.
Access to Medicines Summit 2024
Mark your calendars for the highly anticipated Access to Medicines Summit 2024, scheduled to take place from February 6 to February 7, 2024. This transformative event is set to empower the healthcare landscape by focusing on enhancing accessibility. By harnessing the collective wisdom, innovative practices, and collaborative spirit of diverse organizations from across the region, the summit aims to make a lasting impact on medicine access and knowledge empowerment. Its overarching goal is to ensure that every patient can benefit from improved healthcare opportunities. With its unwavering commitment to change, the summit serves to guide and propel nations across Southeast Asia, towards a healthcare paradigm where access to essential medicines is recognized as a fundamental right for all.
ADVT.
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