Access to Cancer Medicines in Kenya Scoping Review

This document is a systematic scoping review that synthesizes evidence regarding access to cancer medicines, financial toxicity, quality of life, and health policy impacts for the five most prevalent cancers in Kenya. The review follows PRISMA-ScR guidelines and includes studies published between January 2018 and May 2025. It identifies significant barriers such as high treatment costs and limited availability of medicines, which contribute to financial toxicity and poor quality of life for patients. The review highlights that cancer medicines can cost between 3.15 to 162.42 days of minimum wage per chemotherapy cycle, with availability in public facilities being less than 50%. The findings indicate that financial toxicity affects a substantial percentage of households, leading to treatment abandonment. The document calls for improved policies, including price regulation and expanded insurance coverage to enhance access to cancer treatment in Kenya, aiming to inform future health system improvements.