Challenges Faced by Cancer Patients in Accessing Keytruda in India
Painful paperwork, Rs 10 lakh upfront: India’s cancer patients locked out of best-selling drug
The Indian Express
Image: The Indian Express
Accessing Keytruda, an essential cancer treatment in India, is fraught with challenges, including a prohibitive upfront cost of ₹10 lakh (approximately $12,000 USD) and complex bureaucratic hurdles. Many patients are effectively locked out of this life-saving drug, leading to a burgeoning black market for it.
- 01Keytruda, a leading cancer immunotherapy, costs over ₹3 lakh (approximately $3,600 USD) per infusion without assistance.
- 02The Kiran Patient Access Program requires patients to pay ₹10 lakh upfront for initial doses, limiting access for most.
- 03Only about 20% of Indians have health insurance, with many unable to afford costly treatments like Keytruda.
- 04Access to Keytruda is limited to registered medical oncologists or haematologists, creating additional barriers.
- 05A significant percentage of patients drop out of treatment discussions due to high costs and complicated processes.
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Accessing Keytruda, a leading immunotherapy drug for cancer treatment, poses significant challenges for patients in India. The Kiran Patient Access Program, which offers some assistance, requires an upfront payment of ₹10 lakh (approximately $12,000 USD) for initial doses. This cost is prohibitive for most, especially as only about 20% of Indians are covered by health insurance. The process to obtain the drug involves complicated paperwork and strict eligibility criteria, which often leads to patients dropping out before treatment begins. Furthermore, only registered medical oncologists can prescribe Keytruda, limiting access in rural areas where such specialists are scarce. The investigation highlights a burgeoning black market for the drug, as desperate patients seek alternatives to navigate the barriers imposed by the healthcare system.
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The high cost and bureaucratic hurdles prevent many cancer patients from accessing necessary treatment, potentially leading to worsened health outcomes.
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