Health 15 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda Partners with Pfizer for Affordable Cancer Drug Access
Uganda has joined forces with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer through its 'Accord for a Healthier World' initiative to improve access to vital cancer medications at non-profit prices. This landmark agreement aims to make newer, more effective cancer treatments available to Ugandan patients, potentially saving lives and advancing cancer care in the region. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/uganda-us-pharma-giant-pfizer-enter-partnership-to-improve-access-to-top-cancer-drugs-5633088
Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) has inked a significant partnership with American pharmaceutical leader Pfizer to enhance the availability and affordability of cancer medicines within the country. The collaboration, part of Pfizer’s global ‘Accord for a Healthier World’ initiative, marks Uganda as the 20th nation to join the program aimed at bridging the gap in advanced cancer treatment access for low-income populations.
State Minister for Primary Healthcare, Dr. Charles Ayume, hailed the partnership as a crucial step forward, expressing optimism that it could pave the way for local manufacturing of cancer drugs in the future. “It is a big sigh of relief when Pfizer… is looking at giving us medicines at non-profit cost, zero profit,” he stated, emphasizing that this would ensure “very good medicines for cancer” become accessible and affordable to all Ugandans.
Dr. Jackson Orem, UCI Director, highlighted that while UCI has improved access to essential, more affordable anti-cancer drugs, newer, highly effective, but costly medications have remained largely out of reach for patients. This new agreement with Pfizer promises to open doors to a wider array of both established and innovative cancer treatments, potentially covering up to 144 different drugs.
The initiative comes at a time when cancer cases in Uganda are on the rise, with a 10% increase observed between 2024 and 2025. UCI data revealed approximately 67,000 patient visits in 2025, reflecting the growing burden of the disease. Globally, the World Health Organization notes Uganda’s cancer survival rate stands at around 20%.
Pfizer’s extensive cancer portfolio includes treatments for various cancers, such as breast, bladder, and blood cancers. The company expressed its commitment to working collaboratively with Uganda’s health sector to expand cancer care access and strengthen UCI’s role in research and treatment.
Officials also encouraged Pfizer to explore establishing manufacturing facilities in Uganda, with government incentives on offer. The US Embassy in Kampala lauded the agreement, calling it an “extraordinary” pathway for Ugandan patients to access innovative cancer medicines at non-profit prices.