NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Cancer drugs predictably cost much more in the U.S. than in poor countries and even other wealthy nations, but a study shows they are less affordable in some developing countries despite the lower price.

Relative to their ability to pay, cancer patients in China and India face much higher prices than wealthier U.S. patients, according to the research released Monday. Australia had the most affordable prices, for both cancer medicines under patent and less-expensive generics.

The pilot study examined list prices, also called retail prices, and affordability in Australia, China, India, Israel, the United Kingdom, the United States and South Africa.