Cancer drugs remain unaffordable amid underinvestment in health systems

The article highlights a key theme from the report: that non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, are rising in Africa. 

Specifically, it focuses on the report's key finding on access to oncology products in low- and middle-income countries, which are often out of reach and unaffordable for local populations. This is despite the fact that cancer is a major area of research and development among large pharmaceutical companies. 

Jayasree K. Iyer, CEO of the Access to Medicine Foundation, is quoted: "Some of the drugs that are needed for cancer care are unaffordable also because health systems are not invested enough." 

The article also notes brights spots from the report, such as the six companies that have created inclusive business models designed to serve low- and middle-income countries, as well as notable progress on companies attention toward measuring the patient reach of their products.