In 2026, cancer care is dramatically different from decades ago, when just chemotherapy and hormone therapy were the only mainstay options. Today, doctors say they use modern cancer treatment – most of which is driven by multimodality cancer care, where immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and biological therapy are combined to improve survival rates and long-term outcomes. These advanced cancer treatments - available as both oral tablets and injectable drugs - are no longer reserved only for late-stage disease. Increasingly, oncologists are introducing immunotherapy in early-stage cancer and targeted therapy for early diagnosis, transforming the way cancer is treated in India and globally.
However, despite these medical breakthroughs, access to affordable cancer treatment in India remains a serious challenge. Many life-saving cancer medicines come at a high cost, making advanced therapies inaccessible for a large number of patients. “As a result, some patients are unable to get the best treatment or complete their full course of treatment, which can directly impact outcomes,” said Dr. Amit Rauthan, HOD & Consultant – Medical Oncology, Immunotherapy, and Precision Medicine at Manipal Hospital.
Even though science and technology are moving forward at an unprecedented pace, ensuring affordable access to immunotherapy and targeted cancer drugs is now one of the biggest hurdles in improving cancer care in India.
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According to Dr. Rauthan, the recent decision to reduce the cost of 17 important cancer drugs is therefore a significant and welcome move. “This initiative has the potential to improve access to advanced treatments for many patients across the country,” he said. These medicines are used across a wide range of cancers:
Certain drugs used in hormone-positive breast cancer are now being prescribed not only in advanced disease but also after surgery and chemotherapy in early stages. Reducing their cost can make a meaningful difference for many women.
Several immunotherapy medicines included in this list are used in multiple cancer types. Wider access to these drugs can improve survival and quality of life for patients with both early- and advanced-stage cancers.
Drugs used to treat lymphomas, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and other leukemias are also part of this initiative, helping reduce the financial burden on patients requiring long-term treatment.
Some medicines target specific genetic subtypes of lung cancer. While these cancers are less common, access to these treatments is critical for patients who depend on them.
Certain drugs target cancers with specific mutations, such as BRAF mutations, which can be seen in thyroid cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, and other malignancies. Cost reduction here can benefit patients across multiple cancer types.
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