The cover image of this article is from futuremedicine.com.

NEW

In the near future, breast cancer and leukaemia diagnoses in Africa will become more accessible and cost-effective, thanks to Moroccan-made diagnostic kits. Currently, tests and treatments for diseases in Africa are usually expensive imports, primarily from Europe and the USA and can take weeks or months to arrive.

The new tests have been in development since 2010 and have already been used on 400 people in Morocco. Previously, all cancer samples had to be sent to France for analysis, meaning delays in treatment. Locally manufactured kits can give results within hours.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in Morocco and a leading cause of death among women. Globally, the survival rate for those who are diagnosed early is high, yet in low- and middle-income countries, including Morocco, a large proportion of cases are identified too late.

NEWER

Covid-19 has highlighted the need for Africa to be less reliant on imported tests, treatments and vaccines. Approximately 70% of pharmaceuticals used in Africa are imported, as are up to 99% of vaccines. In order to tackle this issue of dependence, the African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation was created last year to expand production and the African Medicines Agency (AMA) was approved in 2019 to improve regulatory oversight.

Yenew Kebede Tebeje, head of laboratory systems and networks at the Africa Centers for Disease Control, has worked with MASciR to make the Moroccan diagnostic kits available in other African countries. Though the costs to procure the cancer tests from MASciR may be more expensive than from non-African competitors, the long-term impact could result in cost savings within three years.

The seriousness of non-communicable diseases (NCDs)

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cancers, chronic respiratory illnesses, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, are on the rise around the world. 80% of NCDs are preventable and yet, in low-income countries, a fraction of the money needed is being invested or donated. NCDs are usually slow, debilitating illnesses, and since the human toll of NCDs is huge and rising, investing in ways to tackle them is necessary yet often overlooked.

NCDs have been classically thought to be illnesses of the wealthy, yet they now have a stronghold on the poor. Disease, disability, and death create and deepen inequality and being poor decreases the likelihood of accurate diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, it is important to note that NCDs are now killing more people than communicable diseases combined.

Conclusion

Africa is in dire need of an increase in its manufacturing capacity for tests, treatments, and vaccines. The African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation was created last year to expand production, and the African Medicines Agency (AMA) was approved in 2019 to enhance regulatory oversight. MASciR's Moroccan-made diagnostic kits for breast cancer and leukaemia are set to become commercially available in the near future, revolutionizing diagnosis and treatment for patients across Africa.

Though the costs to procure the cancer tests from MASciR may be more expensive initially than from non-African competitors, the long-term benefits will result in cost savings within three years. It is essential that investment continues to be made in tackling NCDs, as they are by far the leading cause of death in the world.