WHO Calls for Price Transparency for Cancer Drugs

The World Health Organization blames “irrational behaviors” as well as confidential rebates and discounts for unsustainable prices for oncology drugs and calls for more price transparency in a new report.

“The enduring debates on unaffordability of cancer medicines and the ever-growing list of medicines and combination therapies with annual costs in the hundreds of thousands suggest that the status quo is not acceptable,” WHO says. 

Cancer drug sponsors should consider informing the public about pricing and reimbursement decisions, including the rationale behind them, as well as reporting R&D and any public funding sources, WHO suggests.