Cancer

More than 18 million people in the U.S. are living with a history of cancer, including those in treatment and long-term survivors. Worldwide, cancer is one of the leading causes of death, responsible for nearly 10 million deaths annually. For patients and caregivers, the journey through cancer care is often complex and challenging —and for many, the burden extends far beyond diagnosis. High drug costs, complex insurance requirements, and the practical demands of treatment can create intense financial strain and limit access to modern therapies, placing significant pressure on patients and families. Amneal is committed to expanding access to affordable, high-quality cancer treatment options to help ease this burden and improve the overall experience of care.

Cancer is among the most expensive conditions to treat in the U.S. Nearly half of cancer patients and survivors face substantial medical debt, and an estimated 42% deplete their life savings within two years of diagnosis. Financial strain in cancer care has become so widespread that the term “financial toxicity” was coined specifically to communicate the distress and hardship caused by medical costs. Financial toxicity has been associated with poorer quality of life, heightened symptoms and pain, higher rates of depression, and worse overall outcomes, including increased mortality. Cost pressures can force patients to skip doses to extend their medication supply, delay care, or avoid treatment centers altogether. When someone is confronting cancer, financial worry should never stand between them and the care they need.

In addition to cost as a main determinant of access to oncology treatment, there is a discrepancy in quality care among the general population that increases access challenges. Racial and ethnic minority groups and medically underserved communities experience more treatment delays, higher rates of undertreatment, and greater financial and treatment-related toxicities. These challenges are often driven by income, insurance barriers, and limited proximity to cancer centers. For example, higher mortality rates among Black breast cancer survivors are strongly associated with disparities in timely, high-quality care and access to treatment (American Cancer Society, 2019a; Cho et al., 2021; Green et al., 2018; Penner et al., 2012).