Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines: An Alliance to Save Lives in the Americas
Learn how the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines is transforming access to essential treatments in the region.
The Challenge
Childhood cancer is one of the leading causes of death in children and adolescents. Lack of access to essential medicines is a critical challenge in many countries in the region, limiting treatment and survival opportunities.
The answer
The Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines is an initiative led by the WHO and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, with the support of PAHO, UNICEF, and other strategic partners. Its mission is to ensure that all children with cancer have timely access to essential medicines, strengthening public health systems and promoting equity in pediatric treatments.
The objective
Strengthen public health systems and ensure timely access to essential medicines for pediatric cancer, building on the success of the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer.
Why is it important?
Childhood cancer is one of the leading causes of death in children and adolescents. This initiative aims to:
- Reduce inequalities in access to medicines.
- Improve the quality of life for pediatric patients and their families.
- Create sustainable systems that save lives.
Achievements in the Region
Ecuador is the first country in the Americas to implement the platform, demonstrating a strong commitment to:
- Modernization of supply chains.
- Ongoing training for healthcare personnel.
- Inclusion of innovative treatments in the national formulary.
Pillars of work
Work Areas
- Drug Estimation and Procurement:
- Tools such as QuantMet for calculating needs.
- Purchases through the PAHO Strategic Fund.
- Training and Education:
- Virtual courses on safe handling of pediatric chemotherapy.
- Educational modules for health professionals.
- Strengthening Health Systems:
- Improvement of supply chains.
- Creation of standardized operating procedures.
- Monitoring and Evaluation:
- Indicators to measure impact and results.
- Indicators to measure impact and results.
Available Resources
Basic recommendations for handling cytotoxic drugs in pediatric oncology (Available in Spanish)
Basic recommendations for the management of pediatric chemotherapy – Ecuador Edition 2025 (Available in Spanish)
