From record numbers of cancer drug approvals to new biomarkers, improved surgical methods and adaptive radiotherapies, the level of innovation in cancer treatments has risen considerably in recent years. Despite this renaissance in science, many innovations remain inaccessible to large portions of the global population. Funding decisions are largely informed by past experiences and fail to consider future funding needs or the value that could be generated for patients, economies, and societies from expanded access to better cancer care to achieve improved outcomes.

The COVID-19 pandemic provides a unique opportunity to address the issue of suboptimal access by tackling the lack of investments in cancer care and prioritizing cancer as critical components of the efforts to strengthen health systems in the post-COVID era. Cancer is one of the most complex health problems. It spans from prevention to palliation, touching the entire health system. Hence, strengthening the cancer care continuum, particularly early detection and interventions, can also help catalyse change to lift health systems performance overall. Clear opportunities already exist, for example: increasing prevention and early diagnosis, and improving the transparency and usability of data underpinning policies and decision-making in health systems. To improve cancer care, there is a need to move towards a concrete plan of action for future cancer care that follows coordinated action.

The Financial Times, in partnership with MSD, were honoured to host this exclusive virtual webinar for global decision-makers and thought leaders to discuss and promote positive solutions to funding challenges that can significantly move the needle for cancer care and improve health outcomes.

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New approaches and strategies to finance patient access to cancer care

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