Affordability Issues of Biotech Drugs in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs)

Volume 3 - Issue 2

Abdul Kader Mohiuddin*

Received: July 24, 2019;   Published: July 29, 2019

DOI: 10.32474/DDIPIJ.2018.03.000156

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Abstract

According to World Bank publication Disease Control Priorities: Improving Health and Reducing Poverty (3rd edition, 2017), nearly 20% total health expenditure globally came from out-of-pocket payments in 2014. The same was nearly 40% total health expenditure for low-income countries, 56% for lower-middle-income countries, and 30% for upper-middle-income countries (WHO, 2016). One third of the world’s population lacks timely access to quality-assured medicines while estimates indicate that at least 10% of medicine in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are substandard or falsified, costing approximately US$ 31 billion annually (Global Health, 2018). Surprisingly, 80% of global cardiovascular deaths occur in LMICs which is (partly) due to the lack of access to healthcare including skilled human resources, equipped facilities and medicines (Global status report on noncommunicable diseases, WHO, 2010). Price of drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics is a major burden in LMICs round the globe. Cost of biotech drugs are even higher due to high cost incurred by the pharmaceutical companies for clinical trial. Biotech drugs have completely changed the management of several diseases, including cancer and autoimmune diseases. Although essential but their affordability is still a burning issue, especially in LMICs.

Keywords:LMICs; Out-of-pocket expenditure; Cancer treatments; Biotech drugs; Pharmaceutical patents; Biosimilars

Abbreviations:PIVI: Partnership for Influenza Vaccine Introduction; NITAGs: National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups; OOP: Out-of-pocket; LMICs: Low-and Middle-Income Countries; RCT: Randomized Control Trial; HPV: Human Papillomavirus; GDP: Gross Domestic Product; EML: Essential Medicine List; R&D: Research and Development; BRICS countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa; NCDs: Non-communicable diseases; CVDs: Cardiovascular Diseases

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