How Three Nations Master the WHO Cancer Drug List

Cancer remains a top killer worldwide, and its rise is fastest where health systems are weaker. The WHO created a list of must‑have cancer drugs to help countries aim for universal coverage. Only a quarter of nations have their own national version, and most don’t put enough money behind it.

Researchers picked three places—Chile, Kenya, and Thailand—to see what makes the list work. They chose them because each had high match with the 2023 WHO list, saw income growth in the last decade, covered different regions, improved health access from 2010‑2023, and had solid records. They looked at how well the countries matched the 64 essential medicines and how many extra drugs they added.

Chile kept close to the WHO list and worked with health and finance ministries to set policy and pay for drugs. Kenya and Thailand also scored high on the list, with Kenya using expert groups and outside help, while Thailand relied on health technology assessments to negotiate prices. Together they showed that each nation followed a different route: a political‑fiscal blend, a data‑driven negotiation, or a specialist partnership.

The study says the list works best when it’s part of a bigger universal health plan. Leaders can grab the chance of a policy window to link evidence, money talks, and buying processes. When clinical proof meets fiscal power—through joint decisions, HTA reviews, or expert agreement—cancer drugs can become part of lasting national benefit programs.