Foresight in public health: a tutorial on application and insights on challenges from the PHIRI foresight exercise.

Background: The application of foresight to the field of public health is limited. There is growing need to anticipate uncertain future trends and to plan for them. Foresight provides tools to experts and policymakers to discuss and plan for possible futures.

Comparison of Prices and Affordability of Cancer Medicines in 16 Countries in Europe and Latin America.

Background: There are concerns that high prices of cancer medicines may limit patient access. Since information on prices for cancer medicines and their impact on affordability is lacking for several countries, particularly for lower income countries, this study surveys prices of originator cancer medicines in Europe and Latin America and assesses their affordability.

Methods: For 19 cancer medicines, public procurement and ex-factory prices, as of 2017, were surveyed in five Latin American (LATAM) countries (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru) and 11 European countries (Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, and the UK).

Availability, prices, and affordability of selected essential cancer medicines in a middle-income country - the case of Mexico.

Background: More alternatives have become available for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in low- and middle-income countries. Because of increasing demands, governments are now facing a problem of limited affordability and availability of essential cancer medicines. Yet, precise information about the access to these medicines is limited, and the methodology is not very well developed.

Access to cancer medication in public hospitals in a middle-income country: The view of stakeholder.

Background: Access to cancer medicines is a core component of comprehensive cancer care; as such, it is included in Mexico's public health insurance: Seguro Popular de Salud (SPS). Learning about stakeholders' experiences on processes and barriers influencing access to essential cancer medicines within healthcare facilities allows identifying needed policies to improve access to cancer care.

Objective: The aim of this study was to obtain the insights of health professionals in public hospitals in Mexico on how SPS influences access to cancer medicines regarding medicine selection, financing, and procurement and supply systems.

The Impact of Price Negotiations on Public Procurement Prices and Access to 8 Innovative Cancer Medicines in a Middle-Income Country: The Case of Mexico.

Background: To mitigate the effect of high prices, in 2008 Mexico established a commission that negotiates single procurement prices for patented medicines in the public sector.

Objectives: We assessed the possible effect of price negotiations on the prices of new essential cancer medicines in Mexico between 2010 and 2016 and on access to these new cancer medicines.

Methods: We retrieved the public procurement prices and volume of 8 selected innovative cancer medicines in Mexico in addition to their maximum retail prices in the private sector.

Access to innovative cancer medicines in a middle-income country - the case of Mexico.

Background: Cancer has become the third cause of death in Mexico. Treatment for cancer is often complex and lengthy. New and better medicines enter the market at high prices, which may limit access.

Policy approaches to improve availability and affordability of medicines in Mexico - an example of a middle income country.

Background: The World Health Organization recommends establishing and implementing a national pharmaceutical policy (NPP) to guarantee effective and equitable access to medicines. Mexico has implemented several policy approaches to regulate the pharmaceutical sector, but it has no formal NPP. This article describes the approach that the Mexican government has taken to improve availability and affordability of essential medicines.