India Must Break Big Pharma's Hold on Cancer Cures
An investigation by The Indian Express and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists exposes critical flaws in India's cancer drug supply chain, particularly regarding Merck’s Keytruda. The report reveals a shadow economy where hospital staff and middlemen divert used vials, refill them with counterfeit substances, and sell them to desperate patients at discounted rates. This illicit activity is fueled by exorbitant pricing, with a single vial costing Rs 1.5 lakh, and weak regulatory oversight in waste disposal and tracking. The article criticizes large pharmaceutical firms for exploiting patent thickets to delay cheaper biosimilars, a practice known as evergreening. While Indian courts often prioritize patient access, legal delays remain fatal for critically ill individuals. The editorial urges India to strengthen immediate regulatory enforcement and fast-track the approval of biosimilars, which could reduce costs by up to 70%. Furthermore, it calls for a strategic shift from merely manufacturing affordable generics to becoming a global hub for biomedical innovation, citing the success of homegrown CAR-T therapies. Sustained investment in R&D and academia-industry collaboration is deemed essential to address the country’s significant cancer burden effectively.
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India Must Break Big Pharma's Hold on Cancer Cures
An investigation by The Indian Express and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists exposes critical flaws in India's cancer drug supply chain, particularly regarding Merck’s Keytruda. The report reveals a shadow economy where hospital staff and middlemen divert used vials, refill them with counterfeit substances, and sell them to desperate patients at discounted rates. This illicit activity is fueled by exorbitant pricing, with a single vial costing Rs 1.5 lakh, and weak regulatory oversight in waste disposal and tracking. The article criticizes large pharmaceutical firms for exploiting patent thickets to delay cheaper biosimilars, a practice known as evergreening. While Indian courts often prioritize patient access, legal delays remain fatal for critically ill individuals. The editorial urges India to strengthen immediate regulatory enforcement and fast-track the approval of biosimilars, which could reduce costs by up to 70%. Furthermore, it calls for a strategic shift from merely manufacturing affordable generics to becoming a global hub for biomedical innovation, citing the success of homegrown CAR-T therapies. Sustained investment in R&D and academia-industry collaboration is deemed essential to address the country’s significant cancer burden effectively.
The Indian Express