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Oncology Therapies Access Challenges in Asia

 With cancer becoming one of the world’s most serious health concern its prevention has become the greatest challenge. Moreso, the situation in Asia needs urgent attention. i,ii due to limited access to effective healthcare and resources.2 Various factors contribute to disparities in timely diagnosis and treatment, leading to poorer health outcomes.iii 

Growing burden of Cancer in Asia 

Cancer has become the leading cause of death in high-income countries and second-leading cause of death in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs),iv with Asia ranking first in terms of both new cancer cases and cancer-related deaths.2 Around 60% of the world’s cancer deaths occur in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region, showing how severely this area is affected.3 Cancer medicines play a key role in fighting the disease while also making the patient feel comfortable during their journey. By 2040, the demand for first-course chemotherapy is expected to increase by 53% with a large proportion from SAARC countries.3 

Infrastructure and Workforce Limitations 

Low and middle income countries, in particular, struggle with inadequate and often unsustainable healthcare systems, making it difficult to keep pace with rising cancer cases.4 Various factors make it difficult for people in the region to get proper cancer care. These might include geopolitical conflicts, with frequent wars, border disputes, economic ups and downs, lack of advanced hospitals in remote areas, delays in getting medical supplies, few trained cancer specialists and low participation in clinical trials.3 

Policy Challenges, Economic Barriers and Out-of-Pocket Costs 

Since many countries in the region don’t have national health insurance for cancer, patients often have to bear most of the diagnosis and treatment costs on their own. This includes tests, treatment, travel to big hospitals, food and staying away from home.3  

A large study in Southeast Asia ((ASEAN Costs in Oncology (ACTION) study with 9,513 patients)) found that nearly half of cancer patients fell into serious financial trouble within a year of diagnosis, showing how costly cancer care can be without financial support.v 

Cultural and Social Barriers 

Many people still believe cancer cannot be treated, which can create fear and delay care. In many parts of Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, cultural beliefs and the practice of visiting spiritual healers first can also slow down proper diagnosis and treatment.  

Cancer related stigma and misunderstanding—like believing it is fatal or contagious— make it even harder for patients to seek care. These misunderstandings add to the emotional, social, and financial stress that patients and families already face.3 

Regulatory Challenges 

Access to new cancer treatments depends a lot on each country’s drug approval system. Every Asian country has its own rules and timelines for approving new medicines. Because these approval processes often take longer than in the United States or Europe—sometimes by a year or more—like 12 to 18 months, patients may have to wait much longer to receive the latest cancer treatments.vi 

Clinical Trial Access and Research Capacity 

Participation in clinical trials offers patients early access to promising therapies.vii However, many challenges make this difficult in Asia. The region’s wide geographic and cultural diversity, differences in healthcare quality, long drug approval  timelines, fewer research centres and trial infrastructure all limit how easily patients can take part in clinical trials.viii  

Data Limitations and Cancer Registries  

Many SAARC countries still do not have strong information system designed for the collection, storage, and management of data on persons with cancer. This makes it hard to track how cancer is spreading and to plan effective public health programs. However, India and Pakistan are doing better in this area with India having the National Cancer Grid, and Pakistan having the Karachi Cancer Registry and Punjab Cancer Registry, which help generate better cancer research data.3 

Next steps: Improving Access - Policy and System Solutions 

Cancer does not wait—and neither should our response!  

Asia’s cancer burden is growing,8, ix but so is the region’s determination to change the story.9 By investing in stronger healthcare systems, supporting research, reducing financial strain on families,3 streamlining regulatory framework6 and bringing public awareness with knowledge,3 we can strive to transform cancer care for millions. 

Together, we can push for a future where no patient is left behind and where quality cancer care is a right—not a privilege. 

References 

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