Breast Care International (BCI) has expressed alarm over the soaring prices of cancer medications in Ghana, citing exorbitant import levies as the primary cause.

The organisation has drawn attention to the adverse effects of these costs on patients, many of whom struggle to afford essential treatment.

According to data from the Ghana Health Service, the country registers over 24,000 new cancer cases annually, with 15,802 deaths reported in 2020 alone. Predominant among these cancers are breast, cervical, prostate, and liver cancer.

During a ceremony commemorating World Cancer Day on February 4, 2024, at Straightway Chapel International in Kumasi, Dr Beatrice Wiafe-Addai, President of BCI, underscored the dire repercussions of inflated medication costs, attributing them to the loss of thousands of lives each year.

Dr Wiafe-Addai urged authorities to abolish import levies on cancer drugs, advocating for exemptions for such medications entering the country adding that, any imported drug intended for cancer treatment should be duty-free.

 "The duties on cancer drugs should be removed, and any drug that is entering the country which is supposed to be used for cancer treatment then the shouldn’t be any duty," she emphasised.

Furthermore, she called for the elimination of duties on donated drugs and medical supplies destined for health institutions.

"Why should we pay duties on donated drugs when we intend to donate to our clinics and hospitals?" she questioned.

Dr Wiafe-Addai also emphasised the importance of integrating cancer education into the curriculum for nursing students, advocating for comprehensive training to equip them with the requisite skills to manage cancer cases competently.

Responding to the issue, Ashanti Regional Minister Simon Osei Mensah acknowledged that while the Finance Ministry and the government grant tax waivers on medical supplies, some organisation’s illicitly sell these items on the open market, resulting in revenue loss for the state. He noted the challenge this poses in granting waivers without thorough assessment and monitoring.

The Minister encouraged early cancer screening as a preventive measure to mitigate the disease's impact in the country.

Rev. Dr. Ahmed Adjei, General Overseer of Straightway Chapel International, lauded BCI for its commitment to combating cancer. He urged fellow pastors to refrain from relying solely on prayers to treat members, warning that such practices could exacerbate patients' conditions.

BCI's plea for support underscores the urgent need to address the financial barriers hindering cancer patients' access to life-saving medications in Ghana.