Availability of Essential Medicines for Pediatric Oncology in Armenia: RES‐054

Abstract

Background: One of the main contributors in low survival rate in LMIC is the lack of availability of cancer\nmedications for curative, supportive and palliative care. In many developing countries access to cytotoxic medicine is\na major challenge. The information about the availability of essential medicines for pediatric cancer in the country is\nnot known. The main objective of this study was to determine whether the medications used during the treatment of\npediatric cancer are available in Armenia. Methods: In summer 2016 we conducted a survey in the 3 main pharmacies\nin Yerevan, which import pediatric cancer medications to Armenia to evaluate whether medications used during cancer\ntreatment are officially registered and available in the country. In addition, the information on official registration was\ncross-checked with the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia (MOH). Simultaneously, detailed information\nabout the drugs, on type of produced drug company, doses and price intervals was confined from the price lists of the\nnational drug importer companies. Results: The survey included 64 agents in three classes of medication: anti-neoplastics,\nanti-microbials, and drugs used in supportive care. All of these medications were included in the recent version of the\nWHO model list of essential medicines. From 30 anti-neoplastic medications on the essential medicines list 22 (73%)\nwere officially registered in Armenia; from 19 anti-microbial drugs all were registered except caspofungin and from\n15 supportive care agents 13 (87%) were registered. From registered anti-neoplastic drugs 18% and from antimicrobial\ndrugs 33% were not available in the drug stores. Conclusion: This study showed that not all the drugs from the SIOP\nPODC Essential Medication list for pediatric oncology are officially registered and available in Armenia, and effective\ndrug regulation focusing on the childhood cancer care medicine is needed for improving the situation in the country.