Conditions of access to oncologic drugs for outpatient management in breast cancer patients affiliated to a benefit plan administrator in Cali, Colombia

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer has been the first cause of cancer death in women, presented an incidence rate of 63.9 cases per 100,000 women over 15 years of age and ranked first among the most frequent malignant tumors in the total population of Colombia and locally. The optimal treatment of the disease is aimed at achieving in situ control and avoiding metastasis; however, there is an increase in the report of complaints due to accessibility barriers to health services; despite the guarantee of the right to health defined in the constitutional legal framework. Objective: To determine the conditions of access to ambulatory oncological drugs in patients with breast cancer affiliated to a company that administers benefit plans in the Cali region in 2019. Methodology: Quantitative study, descriptive observational design, cross-sectional, in women affiliated to the EAPB where sociodemographic variables and variables related to effective access to drugs as part of care were assessed. Results: 87 % of the patients were between 51 and 80 years of age, 97 % belonged to the contributory regime, 94 % resided in the municipality of Cali, 30 % were in clinical stage I at the time of care; the most prescribed oncological drug was tamoxifen and 90 % of the patients were unaware of the process for its authorization. Discussion: Women with breast cancer, with more than secondary schooling and from high socioeconomic strata, have greater opportunity to access outpatient drugs for their treatment, because they know the administrative processes and have the resources to carry out the authorization procedures before the EAPB; it is highlighted that the perception of the group of patients in the study regarding the care received by the EAPB is favorable.