ESMO welcomed the revised draft of the negotiating text of the WHO Pandemic Agreement (13 March 2024) in a written statement, stressing the importance of continuance of cancer care during and beyond health emergencies
Given estimations that one in five people will develop cancer at some point in their lives, protection of vulnerable patients, such as those with cancer, and of the health professionals caring for them, from pandemic-related infectious agents is paramount. Accordingly, sustainable cancer care services must be integrated into preparedness planning and responses to both pandemics and health emergencies.
To this end, ESMO supports the acknowledgement in the draft negotiating text that timely provision of, and equitable access to, essential health services should be sustained and monitored, and particular attention should be paid to individuals with a disproportionate increased risk of severity, disease or mortality in the context of a pandemic. Cancer care services are essential and cancer treatment disruption can have a heavy impact on survival, making the recognition crucial.
ESMO welcomes the sections of the text which commit the signatories to safeguarding, protecting, investing in, retaining and sustaining adequate, skilled and trained health and care workforce, with capacities for pandemic situations, while maintaining quality essential health services; and to protecting the safety and security of the workforce, including addressing mental health and wellbeing.
However, ESMO noted with concern that the draft text does not make clear reference to continued access to non-pandemic-related medicines, including opioids for pain relief, and to palliative care; and urges the Member States to highlight in the text the importance of sustaining and monitoring the timely provision of, and equitable access to secondary/tertiary care, and enabling the continuation of active clinical trials, avoiding competition around resources required for health emergencies.
ESMO will continue to engage with the Pandemic Agreement negotiating process, expected to culminate at the 77th World Health Assembly in May, and remains available to work with Member States to assist with the development of resilient oncology services across the whole continuum of care.