To help improve the quality of breast cancer care globally, a collaboration of leading partners has created the Grand Rounds in Breast Cancer series of educational webinars. This session with ecancer enables learners the opportunity to discuss controversies, real-life challenges and effective application of existing knowledge.

In this edition Dr Didier Verhoeven (University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium), Prof Helena Earl (University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK), Prof Ahmed Magdy (National Cancer Institute, Cairo, Egypt) and Prof Luiz Gebrim (Hospital Pérola Byington, São Paulo, Brazil) discuss the rising cost of cancer drugs worldwide and the need to define the essential medicines for breast cancer.

Prof Earl sets the scene with a presentation on the WHO Essential Medicines List before Prof Magdy gives his talk on the Egyption perspective. Prof Gebrim follows with a focus on the situation in Brazil.

The experts then discuss and critique the list and also share insights into the cost and access of drugs in their countries.