Roche, Nhia cut the cost of 80% cancer drugs

Roche, an international pharmaceutical company in collaboration with the National Healthcare Insurance Authority (NHIA) has revealed subsidized subsidy drugs at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (Umth).

Babarinde Olayode, head of Roche International’s policy, made the announcement at the official launch of a cutting the price of 80 % cancer drugs at Tuesday.

Olayode said that the initiative, which was designed and implemented in collaboration between the Company and the NHIA, should have provided access to care for life -saving cancer for patients under the registration of the NHIA at a reduced cost of 80 %.

Olayode said that the initiative was currently implemented in 24 centers including Umth at national level, making it easier for cancer patients under health insurance access quality drugs at an affordable cost of 20 %.

“The opportunity for cancer patients is that today they are able to access drugs just 20 % of the cost.

“Roche will do 50 %, Nia will do 30 %, a patient will pay only 20 %. This is a subsidy and financial protection for the patient,” he said.

Olayode said that the initiative aimed at breast, cervical, prostate and other tumors that represent a significant number of deaths related to cancer in the country.

He said that the offer was for all those who have been diagnosed cancer and ready to access the 80 % subsidy if the person is the registration of NHIA.

According to him, in the event that the patient has not been enrolled in the Nhia scheme, he could obtain a 50 % subsidy from Roche and constitute a 50 % balance.

Speaking on behalf of Nhia, Hajiya Sa’adatu Abdulwahab, a director’s assistant, encouraged uninsured cancer patients to join the basic health funds in the state and key to benefit from 80 %subsidy.

In his observations, Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo, the head of the medical director of Umth, praised Roche and Nhia’s efforts in providing offers of offers to affordable prices to access quality drugs without tears.

Ahidjo, however, urged Nhia to extend its generosity to other specific areas, adding that Umth alone has about eight specialized centers that also needed the same attention given to cancer.

Cancer remains a great public health challenge in Nigeria, with thousands of new cases recorded every year.