The cost of setting up an oncology unit is often considered as the major reason for the spiraling cost of cancer care. Today, a linear accelerator costs from Rs 6 crores to Rs 18-19 crores, based on the range of work that it can do. Further, the import duty makes it more expensive.
A common impediment in the industry is acquisition of devices. Majority of Indian hospitals import more than 70 percent of their technology and devices today. Often medical device companies don’t take into account the requirements of the Indian market. So, access to the latest technology is often not available for small players. Despite the grim scenario, there are a few initiatives which roll out affordable cancer screening devices devices made-in- India. However, these successful initiatives tend to be small.
Why does cancer treatment cost so much?
People : doctors, nurses, surgeons, etc, are highly trained in their field. Therefore, the nature of cancer experts can improve the patients treatment, and increase its cost
Buildings / technology : many cancer treatment centres have state-of-the-art facilities and technology. The cost of maintenance and upkeep of the equipments may increase the price of treatment
Drugs and therapy : Cancer drugs can be very expensive, and in some cases, there are few alternatives. Drug companies can set product prices to recoup research and development costs and turn a profit
This process can take years and millions of dollars to complete. To bring a drug to market, especially a cancer drug, is extremely expensive. Pharmaceutical companies do have many more failures than successes, and these research and development costs are factored into the cost of the drug.
Pharmaceutical companies and their spokespersons routinely justify high prices with 4 arguments:
(1) high cost of research and drug development
(2) comparative benefits to patients
(3) market forces will settle prices to reasonable levels
(4) controlling prices stifles innovation.
What determines the cost of treatment?
The individual cancer treatment center costs
The patient’s insurance plan
The recommended treatment plan
The stage of cancer at the time of diagnosis
The type of cancer diagnosed
Financial assistance with cancer treatment:
There are organizations that help cancer patients with the costs of their pills. Co-payment organizations and patient assistance programs help individuals who cannot afford their medications. Some of the insurance schemes offered by the Indian government are the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna, and the Rajiv Arogya Sri scheme. Although they only cover a fraction of the cost of treatment, they are vital in providing support to patients in need.
Sources:
https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/19-ways-to-help-someone-with-cancer.h00-158911701.html
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