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”

Articles in Press

Document Type : Commentary

Author

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

Abstract

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.

Keywords

References

  1. NHS England. Cancer Drugs Fund Activity Update Q4 2022-23. https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/cancer-drugs-fund-activity-update/. Accessed April 1, 2025.
  2. Aggarwal A, Fojo T, Chamberlain C, Davis C, Sullivan R. Do patient access schemes for high-cost cancer drugs deliver value to society? Lessons from the NHS Cancer Drugs Fund. Ann Oncol. 2017;28(8):1738-1750. doi:1093/annonc/mdx110
  3. Sabry-Grant C, Malottki K, Diamantopoulos A. The cancer drugs fund in practice and under the new framework. Pharmacoeconomics. 2019;37(7):953-962. doi:1007/s40273-019-00793-6
  4. NHS England. Cancer Drugs Fund. https://www.england.nhs.uk/cancer/cdf/. Accessed April 1, 2025.
  5. Fortinguerra F, Perna S, Marini R, Dell'Utri A, Trapanese M, Trotta F. The assessment of the innovativeness of a new medicine in Italy. Front Med (Lausanne). 2021;8:793640. doi:3389/fmed.2021.793640
  6. Lasala R. [EMA approval procedures and assessment of innovation by AIFA: a cross sectional analysis]. Recenti Prog Med. 2021;112(4):273-284. doi:1701/3584.35686
  7. PhRMA. Global Access to New Medicines Report. 2023. https://phrma.org/resource-center/Topics/Access-to-Medicines/Global-Access-to-New-Medicines-Report. Accessed April 1, 2025.
  8. Luksameesate P, Nerapusee O, Patikorn C, Anantachoti P. Scoping review of international experience of a dedicated fund to support patient access to cancer drugs: policy implications for Thailand. Int J Health Policy Manag. 2024;13:7768. doi:34172/ijhpm.2023.7768
  9. Saudi Food and Drug Authority. Registration According to Verification and Abridged. 2024. https://www.sfda.gov.sa/en/regulations/66231. Accessed April 1, 2025.
  10. Expediting Access Through Reliance Pathways: MENA Region. https://www.biomapas.com/expediting-access-through-reliance-pathways-mena-region/. Accessed April 1, 2025.
  11. HIRA. https://www.hira.or.kr/bbsDummy.do?pgmid=HIRAA010034001000&brdScnBltNo=4&brdBltNo=46003&pageIndex=1&pageIndex2=1#none. Accessed April 1, 2025.
  12. Butani D, Faradiba D, Dabak SV, et al. Expanding access to high-cost medicines under the universal health coverage scheme in Thailand: review of current practices and recommendations. J Pharm Policy Pract. 2023;16(1):138. doi:1186/s40545-023-00643-z
  13. Kc S, Lin LW, Bayani DBS, et al. What, Where, and how to collect real-world data and generate real-world evidence to support drug reimbursement decision-making in Asia: a reflection into the past and a way forward. Int J Health Policy Manag. 2023;12:6858. doi:34172/ijhpm.2023.6858
  14. Angelis A, Aggarwal A, Miners A, Grieve R, Cairns J, Briggs A. The Innovative Medicines Fund: a universal model for faster and fairer access to new promising medicines or a Trojan horse for low-value creep? J R Soc Med. 2023;116(10):324-330. doi:1177/01410768231192476
  15. Wood EM, Hughes DA. The new and non-transparent cancer drugs fund. Pharmacoeconomics. 2020;38(1):1-4. doi:1007/s40273-019-00871-9
International Journal of Health Policy and Management

Articles in Press, Corrected Proof
Available Online from 03 December 2025

Files

History

  • Received Date: 14 April 2025
  • Revised Date: 14 November 2025
  • Accepted Date: 19 November 2025
  • First Published Date: 03 December 2025
  • Published Date: 03 December 2025

Share

How to cite

Statistics