Closing the childhood cancer survival gap through sustainable access to essential medicines: market shaping strategy (2026–2030)
Overview
Childhood cancer remains one of the starkest inequities in global health, with substantial differences in survival across countries and health systems. A major contributor is the failure of markets to consistently deliver medicines that are available, affordable, accessible and quality-assured for children with cancer.
Developed through the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines and informed by market analysis and stakeholder consultations, this publication presents WHO’s first market shaping strategy for childhood cancer medicines. It examines the market failures, barriers and root causes that continue to limit access and sets out a coordinated package of ten interventions for 2026–2030. These are sequenced to stabilize supply and consolidate demand in the near term, strengthen market visibility and sustainability from 2027, and support innovation from 2029. Priorities include expanding the supply of quality-assured medicines and pooled procurement, accelerating regulatory pathways, improving demand forecasting and market transparency, promoting sustainable financing, and addressing research and development gaps. Through coordinated action by Member States and other partners, the strategy provides a roadmap towards a more resilient and sustainable market, improved access to essential medicines and better survival outcomes of childhood cancer.
