2 minute read
Access to Oncology
by UICC
Coalition Medicines (ATOM)
Access to Oncology Medicines
(ATOM) Coalition
Unique global partnership lays groundwork to expand access to cancer medicines
In May 2022 during the WHA, UICC and more than 20 public, private, and not-for-profit partners came together to launch a new global initiative, the Access to Oncology Medicines (ATOM) Coalition. Led by UICC, this first-of-itskind partnership aims to strengthen access to essential cancer medicines and diagnostics in low- and lowermiddle income countries (LLMICs).
In time and with sufficient resources secured, the ATOM Coalition will work with local organisations and governments in LLMICs to increase the availability of cancer medicines in their country.
Early achievements
In October, five months after its launch, the ATOM Coalition and two of its partners, Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) and Novartis, announced the signing of a voluntary license (VL) agreement to expand access to the medicine, nilotinib. It represents the first time that a patented drug for an NCD has been licensed through a VL and the first VL agreement reached under the ATOM Coalition.
This is a significant breakthrough and a promising example of how the collective efforts of the Coalition will improve access to cancer medicines, including for the 17 generic and biosimilar priority medicines identified by the ATOM Coalition Medicines Expert Advisory Group.
Priority actions for the future
“Too many people have their lives cut short because they cannot access quality cancer medicines as part of comprehensive care. WHO is pleased to work with UICC and partners across sectors of the ATOM Coalition to change this reality towards health for all.”
Dr Bente Mikkelsen, Director NCD Department, World Health Organization
To shape the strategy and set priority actions, the ATOM Coalition moved quickly to establish its formal governing bodies, and today they include the Executive Committee, the Coalition Governing Council and the Private Sector Council. These governing bodies are advised by several dedicated Expert Advisory Groups, with Coalition activities supported by a secretariat led by UICC.
Watch highlights from the official launch event of the ATOM Coalition →
Capacity building gaps and opportunities in country
One of the foundational activities led by the Coalition included the mapping of partner-led access capacity building initiatives in countries. The mapping was accompanied by a survey to identify gaps and examine potential collaborations in delivering future programmes for the target countries. The survey, interviews and mapping exercise offer a clearer picture of each country’s technical assistance and capacity building needs, as well as a deeper assessment of each country’s level of readiness.
The next phase of the ATOM Coalition
The ATOM Coalition is currently made up of 40 strategic partners [as at May 2023] and continues to grow. The next phase of the ATOM Coalition will focus on building close relations and synergies between partners to expand current access programmes and deliver immediate benefits for patients in target countries where the ATOM Coalition can have a significant impact.
