The Alivia Foundation has announced in October the update of Oncoindex, a pioneering index in Spain that evaluates the access and public funding of oncology treatments recommended by the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO). This announcement coincides with November, a month dedicated to raising awareness about prostate cancer, and November 17 marks World Lung Cancer Day.
The results have revealed a concerning stagnation in access to treatments for prostate cancer, indicating that Spain only reaches 50 points on the index, unchanged since September 2021. In contrast, Poland has shown superior access with 92 points, which is 84% more than Spain. Regarding lung cancer, although there is a slight improvement, the country also remains at 50 points, with a marginal increase of only two points in two years.
The situation is alarming, as only 27% of recommended drugs are fully funded, while 46% have restrictions and 27% have no public funding. For the specific case of prostate cancer, of the six recommended treatments, only one is fully funded, four have restrictions, and one lacks funding.
This stagnation is especially critical, as both conditions represent a significant burden on health. The Alivia Foundation emphasizes that, despite the scientific evidence supporting certain treatments, many patients do not have adequate and timely access to them, compromising their health.
“It is not acceptable that funding for prostate cancer has made no progress in four years, and that lung cancer has barely improved two points. Time is not just a formality; it is part of the treatment. Every restriction without clinical basis and every month of waiting reduce real options for patients,” says the Alivia Foundation, highlighting the urgency of changes in the system.
Oncoindex is presented as an essential tool for patients and healthcare professionals to understand the funding of oncology treatments according to ESMO recommendations. The index ranges from 0 to 100, where a score of 100 indicates that all recommended treatments are fully funded.
The Alivia Foundation calls for ensuring access to all evidence-based oncology drugs, without arbitrary restrictions, so that all patients can access the treatments they need at the right time. Since its creation in 2021, the Foundation has promoted access to cancer therapies in Spain through projects such as Oncoindex, Oncomapa, and Onco Library, with the aim of improving care for cancer patients in the country.
Referrer: MiMub in Spanish