title: Essential medicines for pediatric oncology in developing countries.
abstract: The burden of cancer in children in low and middle income countries (LMICs) is substantial, comprising at least 80% of incident cases globally, and an even higher proportion of cancer-related deaths. With survival rates exceeding 80% in high income countries, it is imperative to transfer these successes to LMICs. A major challenge is the poor availability of safe, cost-effective chemotherapy. A list of 51 drugs-chemotherapeutics, infectious disease agents, and supportive care medications-is proposed as essential to improving the survival of children with cancer in LMICs with an additional 13 drugs identified as being of further value.
authors: Section of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77094, USA. psmehta@txch.org
authors: Parth S
authors: PS
authors: Mehta
authors: John T
authors: JT
authors: Wiernikowski
authors: J A Sergio
authors: JA
authors: Petrilli
authors: Ronald D
authors: RD
authors: Barr
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D003906:Developing Countries; D018954:Drugs, Essential; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018954:Drugs, Essential