India lags in making cancer treatments affordable, with CAR T-cell therapy costing prohibitive amounts. Efforts are underway to develop local solutions, exemplified by the approval of NexCAR19. Experts emphasize the need for collaboration, innovation, and intent to make these therapies accessible, which could transform the landscape of cancer treatment domestically and internationally.

India currently faces significant challenges in making cancer treatments such as CAR T-cell therapy accessible and affordable. While the United States approved its first CAR T-cell therapy in 2017, and China followed suit in 2021, India has lacked both an approved therapy and the infrastructure to develop one. The therapy, although groundbreaking, comes at a high cost, reaching as much as $373,000 in the U.S. and the equivalent of several crores in India, making it entirely unattainable for most citizens.

Dr. Ravi Nayar, former dean at St. John’s Medical College in Bangalore, articulates the core issue: the discussion should focus not merely on affordability but on the collective intent to aspire for better cancer treatment solutions. He argues that if India can strive to buy luxury cars, similar aspiration should be directed towards life-saving medications.

Despite being a leading supplier of affordable generic medicines globally, India’s progress in developing its own CAR T-cell therapy has been slow. Patients often must travel abroad for treatment, incurring exorbitant costs of ₹3 to ₹4 crores for potentially ineffective therapies. Meanwhile, innovations have been underway: collaborations, such as that of IIT Bombay and Tata Memorial Centre, led to the development and approval of NexCAR19 in 2023, priced at ₹50 lakh, a fraction of western therapy costs.

The critical question remains whether India can lower the price of CAR T-cell therapy enough to make it accessible to the broader public. Comparatively, treatments like dialysis and kidney transplants are expensive yet still manageable for many families. If CAR T-cell therapy can be priced similarly, it stands a chance to revolutionize cancer treatment.

Scaling the production and accessibility of CAR T-cell therapy in India requires collaboration among hospitals, research entities, and the private sector to avoid relegating this innovation to a luxury service available only to the wealthy. Prominent oncologist Siddhartha Mukherjee emphasizes the need to enhance accessibility through innovative ventures and new strategies in India.

Dr. Nayar reinforces the notion that artificial intelligence and startups could be key in making CAR T-cell therapy affordable through increased production and reduced costs. The implications of achieving this goal would have far-reaching effects, impacting cancer treatment on a global scale.

Comparatively, cancer treatment often plunges Indian families into financial strife. If affordable CAR T-cell therapy becomes a reality, it could potentially transform patient experiences and the treatment landscape, indicating the decline of traditional chemotherapy. Although India has arrived late to this healthcare initiative, with the right commitment and resources, the nation can become a leader in cancer treatment innovation.

In summary, India must prioritize making advanced cancer treatments like CAR T-cell therapy more affordable for its population. By fostering collaboration among medical institutions, research, and the private sector, India can potentially lower costs to a more manageable level. The urgent need to aspire for affordable healthcare solutions is vital, and the successful implementation of these therapies could redefine cancer treatment not only in India but around the world.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com

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