The World Health Organization has launched a new global strategy aimed at improving access to essential cancer medicines for children, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
The strategy, announced on September 15, 2026, focuses on strengthening the market for childhood cancer medicines so that treatments can become more consistently available, affordable and quality-assured.
WHO estimates that around 400,000 children develop cancer each year. The organization says survival remains strongly influenced by where children live, with access to essential medicines continuing to be a major challenge in many countries.
Medicine Availability Remains a Major Challenge
WHO and its partners found significant gaps in the availability of childhood cancer medicines.
A baseline assessment covering 51 hospitals in 12 countries found that only around 45% of essential childhood cancer medicines were available at the hospitals visited. Nearly half of those hospitals had experienced at least one month without stock of some essential medicines during the previous year.
These shortages can make it difficult for children to complete treatment on time.
A Strategy Covering 2026 to 2030
The new plan is called Closing the Childhood Cancer Survival Gap Through Sustainable Access to Medicines: Market Shaping Strategy 2026–2030.
It identifies problems including a fragile and concentrated supplier base, fragmented demand and limited funding. These factors can contribute to supply disruptions and make it harder for countries to secure essential medicines consistently.
The strategy includes 10 coordinated interventions designed to strengthen supply, improve procurement, support regulatory processes and encourage greater innovation.
Focus on Quality-Assured Medicines
Improving access is not only about increasing the number of medicines available.
WHO is also focusing on quality assurance and formulations that are appropriate for children.
Earlier in September, WHO announced its first invitation for manufacturers to submit selected childhood cancer medicines for evaluation through its Prequalification Programme. The initial list includes 12 essential medicines, with six prioritized because child-friendly formulations are needed and another six selected because of supply and access challenges.
Importantly, being included in the invitation does not mean that the medicines have already received WHO prequalification. Manufacturers must submit eligible products for assessment.
Closing the Global Survival Gap
WHO reports that more than 80% of children with cancer can be cured in many high-income countries, while survival in many low- and middle-income countries remains below 30%. Limited access to quality-assured medicines is one of the factors contributing to this gap.
The new strategy therefore goes beyond simply supplying medicines. It aims to strengthen the systems and markets needed to keep those medicines available over the long term.
More Cooperation Across the Health Sector
The strategy involves governments, manufacturers, procurement organizations, healthcare professionals, international partners and civil society.
WHO says stronger cooperation can help diversify suppliers, improve demand forecasting, strengthen procurement and make national financing for childhood cancer treatment more sustainable.
The initiative is already being implemented through the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines, a partnership involving WHO, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, UNICEF and the PAHO Strategic Fund.
A Long-Term Effort for Children With Cancer
The new strategy does not immediately solve medicine shortages, but it provides a framework for addressing some of the underlying problems that make access difficult.
For families facing childhood cancer, reliable access to appropriate treatment can be an essential part of completing care.
WHO’s 2026–2030 strategy aims to make that access more predictable and sustainable, particularly for children living in countries where cancer treatment resources remain limited.
