OncoPharma Regional Round Table 2025 | FICCI | Building a Resilient Cancer Care Ecosystem | NxtPix

Dr Ezhilan Naganathan, MLA (DMK), Member-Health Wing, DMK & Member, State Planning Commission, Government of Tamil Nadu today said that the government has recently launched ‘Tamil Nadu Cancer Care Mission’ to build a comprehensive, inclusive cancer care ecosystem. “A dedicated site has been identified for a cancer diagnostic, genomic, and immunology lab in collaboration with the Industry Department to enable affordable, high-end investigations,” he added.
Addressing the ‘OncoPharma 2025’ – Roundtable on Building a Resilient Cancer Care Ecosystem: Equitable access through sustainable financing, organized by FICCI, Dr Naganathan said that doctors and researchers remain overburdened and under-supported, with inadequate incentives and a disconnect between policy formulation, execution, and implementation—further compounded by bureaucratic processes that limit medical participation highlights availability of innovative treatment options the urgent need to restore collaboration and alignment across all stakeholders.
“Tamil Nadu’s robust healthcare infrastructure will in place, the priority now integrate innovations in diagnostics and treatment into public health delivery through stronger collaboration among industry, academia, and healthcare institutions, while promoting indigenous R&D investment in oncology, genomics, and immunotherapy,” he emphasized.
Dr Naganathan further stated that bridging the gap between industry and government will be key to accelerating R&D growth, while building on Tamil Nadu’s successes in decentralized cancer screening and cervical cancer vaccination programs. With the right partnerships and governance alignment, Tamil Nadu can become a national model for equitable, research-driven, and innovation-led cancer care, he added.

Dr G. S. K. Velu, Chairman, FICCI Tamil Nadu State Council and CMD, Trivitron Healthcare & Neuberg Diagnostics Group of Companies highlighted “Cancer has emerged as one of India’s most pressing health challenges, demanding affordable access to advanced diagnostics and personalized treatment. Tamil Nadu, a pioneer in public health and cancer care, is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation through collaboration between government, industry, and civil society. With cutting-edge technologies like genomics and molecular imaging, we can extend world-class care to every corner of the state. This roundtable seeks to chart a collective roadmap to make Tamil Nadu a global model for equitable and innovative cancer care.

Mr J. Jayaseelan, Chairman, Indian Drug Manufacturers’ Association, said, “Cancer remains one of the most pressing global health challenges, with treatment costs—especially for medicines—placing a heavy burden on patients. The global expenditure on cancer treatment is expected to triple to nearly USD 640 billion by 2045, reflecting the growing demand and rapid pace of innovation, as seen in over 2,000 ongoing clinical trials worldwide. India’s pharmaceutical sector, once dominated by generics, is now increasingly investing in oncology research and innovation, particularly in addressing fast-growing cancers like lung cancer. Tamil Nadu stands at the forefront of cancer healthcare, integrating modern medicine with traditional systems such as Siddha and Ayurveda, showcasing India’s rich legacy in plant-based therapeutics. A comprehensive and collaborative approach—uniting government, industry, academia, and NGOs—is essential to harness both modern and traditional knowledge and build a resilient cancer care ecosystem.”

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