ONS Perspective
China’s increasing number of oncology drug approvals is a result of growing international advancements to end cancer as we know it. However, although China approved 94 oncology drugs from 2023–2025, compared with the United States’ 87 approvals, Friends of Cancer Research also found that “among the 14 drugs approved by both agencies, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved them a median of 164 days earlier.”
“The FDA continues to review therapies faster and leads decisively in global first-in-class approvals, underscoring the value of continued U.S. research and regulatory modernization,” Friends of Cancer Research said.
The study is a reminder of the importance of oncology nursing advocacy for sustained cancer research funding, expanded clinical trials, and equitable access to innovative therapies. Raising our voices on these topics can help expedite bringing novel therapies into oncology practice where they can change cancer outcomes.
ONS has consistently advocated for robust funding for the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Nursing Research, and Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health that is necessary to support the scientific discoveries, clinical trials, and workforce development that lead to innovative cancer therapy approvals. “Bold, sustained federal investment now will accelerate discoveries, prevent cancer diseases, and move us closer to ending cancer as a major threat for all Americans,” ONS and the One Voice Against Cancer coalition said in a March 2026 letter.
Clinical trials of individuals who accurately represent the patient population are an essential element in the drug approval process. ONS supports policies that expand access to cancer clinical trials and reduce administrative and financial barriers to participation so that more patients can benefit from emerging therapies and provide evidence for drug approvals. In February 2026, ONS and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, urging it to create a new regulatory safe harbor to the federal healthcare program anti-kickback statute. The safe harbor would allow clinical trials to cover certain indirect costs for participants, such as travel or childcare expenses, that may be barriers to enrollment.
Approving innovative cancer therapies is only the first step. Patients must also be able to access those treatments without undue financial expenses and unnecessary delays. Many of the latest cancer treatments require biomarker testing, for which ONS has been advocating for health insurance coverage at the state level. “Providing coverage for biomarker testing fosters equity in access to the latest advancements in cancer treatment,” ONS said. “It ensures that patients, regardless of their financial situation, can benefit from critical testing that can inform their treatment decisions.” ONS is also supporting prior authorization reforms and copay accumulator bans that would improve equitable access, affordability, and timeliness of care.
The ultimate nursing priority remains ensuring that patients receive safe, affordable, and timely access to effective cancer treatments. As global oncology evolves, nurses have an important perspective on how research, innovation, and policy affect patient care. Join the conversation in the ONS Health Policy and Advocacy Community to discuss the latest developments and what they mean for oncology nursing.
Additional Articles of Interest
- Chairman Moran Introduces Legislation to Permanently Authorize and Expand Precision Oncology Program for Veterans With Prostate Cancer
- House GOP Releases Bill to Fund Government Until After the Midterm Elections
- Nearly Half of Ovarian Cancer Cases Are Diagnosed in ER, Missing Critical Treatment Window, Study Finds
- U.S. FDA Sued for Allowing Unauthorized Vaping Products
ONS Resources
- ONS Podcast™ Episode 406: Drug Resistance Biomarkers and Their Impact on Cancer Treatment Choices
- ONS Voice article: Telehealth Bridges the Gap Between Technology and Patient Care in Clinical Research
- ONS Voice article: Quick Quiz: How Has Access to Biomarker Testing Increased Since the 2000s?
- Cancer Healthcare Advocacy
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Oncology Clinical Trials
- Access to Cancer Care