Decentralising cancer care can make treatments accessible across India

Mohan Jain, Director, Naprod Lifesciences in a conversation with ETPharma’s Prabhat Prakash spoke about the current trends in the oncology space and the evolution of cancer treatment modalities over the years. He also discussed the need to make cancer care more accessible in India and Naprod’s plans to expand into highly regulated markets with new products.
What are the current trends in the oncology segment, both internationally and domestically? How have targeted therapies in oncology evolved, and how are they changing cancer treatment?
The oncology market has seen steady growth over the past few decades, and it is projected to grow faster than other therapeutic areas in the coming years. Cancer care has become more affordable and accessible, leading to earlier diagnoses and greater availability of anti-cancer medications. There has also been significant progress in treatment options for patients.
The market is evolving with new innovations, particularly in targeted therapies and complex generics, which have reduced side effects. Traditional oncology treatments often had narrow benefits and significant side effects. However, with advancements in R&D, targeted therapies have emerged, focusing on specific tumors or cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy cells. Although some side effects may still exist, the benefits far outweigh these. Precision medicine has made it possible to target cancer cells more effectively, improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
What advancements have been made to change the perception of cancer as a fatal disease, especially for rare cancers? The Indian government has reduced the cost of three imported oncology drugs by 10 percent. How do you see this impacting the market?
Early detection and treatment significantly enhance the survival rate, especially for common cancers like breast and lung cancer. Increased awareness, early detection, and advanced treatment options have considerably improved the chances of beating cancer. This is a step in the right direction and underscores the need to make cancer care accessible to all. While it’s a gradual process, initiatives like these bring us closer to making life-saving drugs available to patients who need them.
How has the China plus one strategy impacted the active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) market in India?
The China plus one has opened new opportunities for Indian manufacturers. The country has seen significant investments in the API sector over the last few years, particularly in fermentation-based products. The government has realised the potential of the Indian pharma sector and introduced multiple policies and schemes to support Indian manufacturers in enhancing their API production capabilities and reducing dependency on imports.
How do you see the oncology market evolving in terms of accessibility and affordability for Indian patients? What measures can be taken to combat the issue of spurious drugs in the market?
Making healthcare accessible has become a priority. The government has taken multiple steps, such as the Jan Aushadhi scheme and expanding the availability of oncologists and treatment centers closer to smaller towns. This decentralization is making cancer care more accessible. In the next two-three years, we expect to see more localised cancer treatment centers, helping bridge the gap between access and affordability.
Source: Indiatimes

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