Establishing a Dedicated Fund to Improve Patient Access to Cancer Medicines: Key Considerations and Policy Implications for Thailand; Comment on “Scoping Review of International Experience of a Dedicated Fund to Support Patient Access to Cancer Drugs: Policy Implications for Thailand”

نویسندگان

1 College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea

doi
10.34172/ijhpm.9153
چکیده

Thai policy-makers should carefully design a well-structured, managed-access cancer drug fund (CDF) that aligns with the country’s socioeconomic system and complements existing institutional and policy frameworks. Developing this framework requires a clear and evidence-based definition of innovative cancer drugs, grounded in measurable clinical benefits such as overall survival (OS) and cost-effectiveness. It also requires careful consideration of alternative policies to address the challenges posed by high-priced cancer drugs. In addition, strategies are needed to incorporate cost-ineffective yet life-saving drugs with no therapeutic alternatives into the healthcare system in a fair and transparent manner. It also requires rigorous evaluation of the effectiveness of the CDF, supported by empirical evidence and underpinned by robust operational and data governance frameworks. Such a framework could serve as a foundation for Thailand’s future efforts to balance innovation, affordability, and equity in cancer care.