More than ever, we must remain vigilant about ensuring equitable access to new diagnostic tools and therapeutic options
As we approach the 50th anniversary of President Richard Nixon’s declaration of the “war against cancer”,1 it is appropriate to recognise the improvement in outcomes for people diagnosed with cancer that have been achieved by major global investment in research.2
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We acknowledge the support of the many not‐for‐profit community‐based organisations that support people affected by leukaemias. Andrew Roberts is grateful for research support from the National Health and Medical Research Council (Investigator grant 1174902).
Andrew Roberts chairs the Life Saving Drugs Program Expert Panel of the Australian Department of Health, is a member of the board of directors of the Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group (National Collaborative Clinical Trials Group) and the national Blood Cancer Taskforce. One of his employers, the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, receives royalties for Venetoclax, an approved drug for treating some leukaemias; he receives a share of these royalties from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute. Andrew Roberts is an inventor on a patent related to Venetoclax dosing; his rights are owned by Melbourne Health and were assigned to AbbVie. Neither Andrew Roberts nor Melbourne Health receives royalties related to this patent.