Indian oncologists are annoyed over the Swiss drug major Roche's recent move to stall marketing of biosimilar drug for breast cancer trastuzumab by the biosimilar manufacturing majors Biocon and Mylan. They are upset that the poor breast cancer patients in the country cannot have access to affordable drugs.

It is reported that in 2012, the global sales for Herceptin is US$ 6.4 billion and in India it witnessed sales of US$ 21 million.

Standard treatments for breast cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and targeted therapies, including biologics. The survival rate for breast cancer patients in the US has improved to nearly 90 per cent after the introduction of biologics, improved screening, and other treatment enhancements.

The concept of affordable cancer drugs being made available to the poor Indian patients has not been acceptable by the multinational company, said a section of pharma consultants.

Disallowing patient’s access to affordable and quality drugs is not the right move. The multinational companies have done it again and want to indicate their muscle power in the cancer medication space. All MNC drugs are expensive and unaffordable to the poor patients, stated a section of junior doctors from the Kidwai Institute of Oncology who did not want to be named.

“Biocon and Mylan are pedigreed, world class companies with stellar R&D facilities, staffed by very capable scientists who are known for innovation. They are not new to the world of biologicals and have several biological products to their credit such as Insulin analogues, and growth factors available across the world, serving the cause of millions of disadvantaged,” points out Dr Vineet Gupta, director, HealthCare Global Enterprises.

Both Canmab and Hertraz are molecules that every Indian should be proud of, as they offer hope to thousands of women with breast cancer who otherwise would not have been able to afford the multinational molecule such as Herclone or Biceltis, added Dr Gupta.

How many women must die before affordable trastuzumab is available, and when will the government wake up and heed to the voice of the feeble, questions Dr Gupta.