A Day to Reflect and Drive Action

World Cancer Day

When Yardena Neeman was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 47, she decided to take an active role in her diagnosis and treatment decisions. Educating herself on her options, Yardena sought a test that provided insights into the characteristics of her cancer, which ultimately helped her and her doctor make the informed decision to forgo chemotherapy. “The oncologist offered me an alternative path, which in retrospect, changed my whole course of treatment,” Yardena recounted. “The realization that there was really no reason for me to undergo chemotherapy helped me slowly and carefully return to a full life. We must be informed and involved in any decision about treatment.”   

Today, on World Cancer Day, Teva is proud to join the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) in raising awareness of the impact of cancer and urging global action. The United Nations has declared action against non-communicable diseases, including cancer, as critical to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. As the global leader in generic and biopharmaceutical medicines, we remain a dedicated partner in these efforts, striving to increase access to affordable medicines and providing innovative evidence-based solutions for untreated and undertreated conditions. We are committed to integrating our generics, biopharmaceutical and specialty capabilities to meet the unmet needs of cancer patients. 

Teva also offers more than 40 oncology medicines (84%) listed on the World health Organizations (WHO) Essential Medicine List (EML). For example, between April 2017 and March 2018, we supplied 44 million oncology drug packs – more than half a billion tablets and vials 01. Our medicines include chemotherapy treatments and medicines targeting cancer-related pain, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, breast cancer, chronic myeloid leukemia and more. 

In the words of Thomas Thoma, Head of Clinical Trial Supply and Global Health Tendering at Teva, “My daily motivation as father of three kids is that nobody should lose a child due to lack of medicine.” 

In addition to our broad portfolio of medicines, Teva is dedicated to addressing the burden of cancer around the world through partnerships and programs, including:

• Providing cancer medicines to children: In partnership with the Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Fund Supply Agency, Direct Relief and Access to Childhood Cancer Essentials (ACCESS), Teva recently provided an emergency supply of 13 cancer medicines from the WHO’s EML – more than 17,000 vials – to children with cancer in Ethiopia. The multi-stakeholder collaboration is working to lay the foundation for a sustainable supply of childhood cancer medicines.
• Easing the effects of chemotherapy: Teva established a partnership in Mexico to offer a solution for chemotherapy-induced hair loss. Guillermo Ibarra, General Manager of Teva Mexico, said, “We are very proud that we can offer this option to patients during a treatment phase which can often be emotionally and physically exhausting, reflecting the great commitment Teva has to help patients around the world.”

Cancer is the second leading cause of death around the world, responsible for approximately 9.6 million deaths each year 02. Between 30 and 50% of cancer deaths could be prevented by modifying risk factors, such as avoiding tobacco use, reducing alcohol consumption, maintaining health body weight, exercising regularly and addressing infection-related risk factors 02. Each of us has a role to play – by supporting our patients, families and communities or empowering ourselves to live a healthy lifestyle and be involved in our treatment decisions. 

Diana Mainella, Associate Director of Marketing for Established Brands Teva EU Oncology Care, reflects, “Cancer is about more than a cure – it can be a long, hard journey. It’s heartening to know I am supporting patients and care partners on this journey.” 

For more information on Teva’s recent efforts to contribute to healthy communities, please see our latest Social Impact Report. 

To read more, download materials or find out how you can take action on World Cancer Day, visit https://www.worldcancerday.org/.

Footnotes

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   As expressed in International Nonproprietary Name

2. Back to contents.

   World Health Organization (2018) Cancer. Available: https://www.who.int/cancer/en/ (accessed January, 2019)