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Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines

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A new approach to giving childhood cancer patients worldwide access to life-saving treatment through a collaboration between St. Jude Global and World Health Organization (WHO).

Lack of access to safe and effective medicines is a barrier to cancer care worldwide. Many hospitals struggle to reliably access affordable, high-quality medications for pediatric cancer patients. In fact, 71% of low-income countries report general shortages in cancer medicines.

At the 70th World Health Assembly, global health leaders adopted a new resolution that called for better access to essential medicines and other measures for all with cancer.

The Challenge

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Availability

The availability of essential cancer medicines around the globe is inconsistent due to supply and demand issues and complicated regulations.

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Quality

The quality of medicines is threatened when governments and administrations favor the lowest-cost bids.

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Cost

The cost of childhood cancer medicines is often excluded from budgets, creating financial hardship for families in low- and middle-income countries.

71% of low-income countries report general shortages in cancer medicines.

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The Solution

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The Partnership

St. Jude and WHO are creating a platform to provide an uninterrupted supply of quality cancer medicines to children with cancer.

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The Platform

The platform will bring St. Jude, WHO, governments, the pharmaceutical industry, nongovernmental organizations and the nonprofit sector together to ensure that quality and effective medicines are available to treat childhood cancer. This effort will increase the global visibility and predictability of the market for childhood cancer medicines.

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The Impact

In six years, approximately 120,000 children in low- and middle-income countries could benefit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Resources

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Panelists from St. Jude, WHO, SIOP & CCI speak about Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines.

View the Webinar
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St. Jude and WHO address the challenge of access to childhood cancer medicines

Download an Overview
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Download an information sheet on the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines

Get the Facts
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World Health Organization and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to dramatically increase global access to childhood cancer medicines

Read the Press Release
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WHO and St. Jude work together to expand access to childhood cancer medicines

Read the Article