The declining cost of nivolumab is expanding access to cancer immunotherapy in India, but hospital pricing practices could determine how much patients actually save.

New Delhi: The cost of cancer immunotherapy in India is witnessing a significant shift, with nivolumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor used in multiple cancers, becoming available at approximately Rs 30,000 per treatment cycle compared with earlier prices exceeding Rs 1 lakh.

The reduction follows the introduction of a lower-priced biosimilar, encouraging more patients to consider immunotherapy. According to a Times of India report, oncologists have observed a substantial increase in prescriptions over the past six months.

Dr Imran Shaikh of Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai, reported a rise of more than 50% in nivolumab prescriptions. He noted that patients who previously struggled with the high treatment cost are now more comfortable considering the medicine.

Lower Nivolumab Prices Could Expand Cancer Treatment Access

Nivolumab belongs to a class of medicines known as immune checkpoint inhibitors. These drugs help the body’s immune system recognise and attack cancer cells.

The medicine is used across several cancer types, making its affordability particularly important. According to Tata Memorial Centre specialists, nivolumab has applications across approximately 25 tumour types and around 100 indications.

The impact of immunotherapy has been particularly significant in certain cancers. Dr Kumar Prabhash, head of medical oncology at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, highlighted improvements in long-term survival among melanoma patients following the introduction of immunotherapy.

For selected patients with early-stage MSI-high colorectal cancer, immunotherapy may also offer an alternative to conventional treatment combinations involving chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. Treatment decisions, however, depend on individual clinical assessment and biomarker testing.

Will Lower Drug Prices Translate Into Patient Savings?

Despite the reduction in the nivolumab price in India, questions remain over whether patients will receive the full benefit.

Additional biosimilar products are expected to increase competition, potentially bringing prices down further. However, healthcare experts have raised concerns that hospital pharmacy margins and medicine procurement practices could influence which products are made available to patients.

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority’s reported decision to cap trade margins on 137 anti-cancer medicines is another measure aimed at improving affordability.

Experts believe that combining lower-cost biosimilars with evidence-based treatment strategies, including clinically appropriate dose optimisation, could improve access to cancer care.

Ultimately, affordable immunotherapy will depend not only on lower manufacturing prices but also on transparent pricing, hospital-level availability and patients’ ability to access appropriate treatment without financial hardship.