Rising Cancer Treatment Costs Strain Vietnamese Patients and Health Insurance

The rising number of cancer patients in Vietnam is leading to increased treatment costs, particularly for new-generation drugs, placing a significant burden on patients and the national health insurance fund (BHYT). Dr. Dao Van Tu, Head of the Quán Sứ Department for Requested Treatment at K Hospital, highlighted cancer as a notable socio-economic issue, with treatment costs escalating while many patients' ability to pay remains limited. In 2023, the BHYT disbursed over VND 7.5 trillion for cancer drug treatments, marking it as one of the highest expenditure categories within the fund's total drug spending. For 2024, cancer and immune-modulating drugs are projected to remain at the forefront of expenditures, accounting for 16.2% of the total BHYT drug spending and 41.3% of original branded drug payments. The financial strain of cancer treatment is a global phenomenon. According to IQVIA, the global oncology drug market reached approximately USD 223 billion in 2023 and is forecasted to exceed USD 400 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate of around 11.5-14.5%. In Vietnam, the oncology drug market size is also expected to grow, with Statista projecting it to reach about USD 530.2 million by 2029, at a CAGR of approximately 7.43% between 2025-2029. Lung, liver, breast, and colorectal cancers are among the most common in Vietnam, accounting for about half of all new cases. Factors such as smoking, environmental pollution, and lifestyle-related issues are considered significant contributors to the increasing disease burden. Vietnam records approximately 180,000 new cancer cases and 120,000 deaths annually. While patients in major cities often have better access to specialized hospitals, diagnostic tests, and new treatment therapies, those in rural areas may need to travel long distances, incurring additional costs for travel, accommodation, and lost income due to time off work. For low-income families, expenses beyond medication and hospital fees become substantial burdens, creating a cycle where late diagnosis leads to more complex and costly treatments, diminishing patients' ability to pursue long-term care. Traditional chemotherapy drugs are relatively common and largely covered by BHYT within specified limits. However, targeted therapies and immunotherapies, which offer extended survival and improved quality of life, often come with prohibitively high costs. Some advanced drugs can cost 40-50 times the average per capita income, making access heavily dependent on insurance coverage, treatment indications, and individual family finances. "When patients are not covered by BHYT or face significant co-payments, drug costs can become a barrier, forcing them to delay, interrupt, or opt for less expensive treatment options," stated Dr. Tu. Reports indicate that 125 new oncology drugs have been launched globally in the last five years, nearly half the number developed in the preceding two decades. This surge in new medications offers more treatment choices but also exacerbates challenges related to accessibility and the sustainability of healthcare costs. Without effective price controls, cost-effectiveness assessments, and expanded risk-sharing mechanisms, the proliferation of new treatments could continue to inflate overall cancer care expenditures, transforming cancer into an issue extending beyond hospital walls. An individual's illness not only incurs medical expenses but can also lead to loss of earning capacity, reduced income, and the need for family members to take time off work for caregiving. At a societal level, these impacts reduce labor productivity and increase social welfare costs, while the demand for healthcare resources grows. Therefore, managing the burden of cancer requires a dual approach: reducing preventable cases through control of tobacco use, pollution, and other risk factors, while simultaneously enhancing early detection capabilities and ensuring patients have access to effective treatments at reasonable costs. Information Source: VnExpress