Access to Oncology Medicines (ATOM) is UICC – UICC – Union for International Cancer Control – led initiative that drives access solutions for cancer medications. Zambia is the first country in Africa to be considered under this initiative.
𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝
The first phase of operations of the ATOM Coalition focuses on increasing access to essential cancer medicines while launching capacity strengthening activities in a subset of target countries including Zambia.
To support the identification of local needs across the medicines pathway, a data collection exercise has been undertaken by a local consultant in Zambia, using the situational analysis tool developed.
The discussion was around the gaps across the data coming from each of the four areas of the situational analysis questionnaire namely:
1. Regulatory affairs
2. Supply chain management
3. Pathology, and diagnostic infrastructure
4. Appropriate clinical use.
𝐎𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬
1. Establish a shared foundation for decision making across the four areas of the medicines access pathway through review, validation and analysis of the data collected through the situational analysis tool.
2. Develop a comprehensive overview of the processes within each of the four areas of the medicines access pathway assessed to ensure clarity and evidence-informed decision-making.
3. Pinpoint and rank immediate, high-priority actions for capacity strengthening across the four areas of the medicines access pathway, reaching group consensus on the steps necessary to drive progress and impact.
4. Co-create targeted strategies and actions to address the identified gaps to improve access to cancer medicines in Zambia.
5. Develop a preliminary action plan for capacity strengthening interventions to improve access to cancer medicines in Zambia.
As in country secretariat, we are happy to see these initiative coming to life.
Ministry of Health Zambia
Cancer Diseases Hospital U.T.H