Port Vila, Vanuatu — A group of determined young Vanuatu entrepreneurs and youth health advocates have taken a groundbreaking step in the country’s medical landscape with the establishment of a new Chemotherapy Pharmacy in the capital. The initiative, operated under Getmeds Vanuatu–Pacific, marks one of the most significant private-sector contributions to cancer care ever seen in the country.
Yesterday, the team welcomed Bea, a medical specialist from Getmeds Philippines, who arrived in Port Vila to oversee the setup and early operations of the new pharmacy. She will remain in Vanuatu until the end of next month to train local staff, install treatment protocols, and prepare the facility for full service.
Her arrival is already bringing renewed hope to families who have long struggled with limited access to cancer treatment. For many mothers and patients, chemotherapy has been financially out of reach — requiring referrals overseas or long waiting periods at overstretched medical services.
“This service will ease the financial burden for patients who cannot afford overseas treatment,” the team shared. “Each cancer requires its own chemotherapy cycle, and bringing these services home is life-changing for many families.”
Following Bea’s mission, another team of specialist oncologists, pharmacists, and medical technicians from India and the Philippines will arrive to continue building the operation and expand available treatment options.
This pharmacy is part of a wider vision: Getmeds Vanuatu–Pacific, in partnership with Getmeds Philippines and regional medical partners, is now working closely with Vanuatu’s Ministry of Health and other government agencies to establish a full oncology department in 2026. This will be the country’s first dedicated cancer-care unit.
Health observers say this development is a major milestone not only for Vanuatu but for the Pacific region, where access to chemotherapy remains limited, costly, and often requires international referrals.
“This is more than a pharmacy — it is a step toward building a complete cancer-care pathway for our people,” a spokesperson for the team said. “We want to ensure that treatment, hope, and healing are available right here at home.”
As work continues over the coming weeks, the new chemotherapy service is expected to begin its first treatment cycles soon, offering Vanuatu families a level of support and care that was previously out of reach.
How Vanuatu’s First Chemotherapy Pharmacy Was Born: The Story Behind Getmeds Vanuatu–Pacific
Cancer treatment has always been one of Vanuatu’s most difficult medical challenges. For decades, families facing cancer had only two options: rely on limited local care, or struggle to raise funds for treatment overseas. For many, the cost was too high — and the emotional and financial toll even higher.
In 2024–2025, something changed. A small group working under the Vanuatu Family Medical Assistance Society (VFMAS) decided that waiting for help from abroad was no longer enough. If the country lacked cancer treatment, then the solution had to be built — piece by piece — through partnerships, persistence, and sacrifice.
This is the story of how Getmeds Vanuatu–Pacific, the nation’s first chemotherapy pharmacy, came to life.
The Beginning: VFMAS and a Vision for Medical Change
The Vanuatu Family Medical Assistance Society was originally formed to support families facing difficult medical needs, emergency situations, and chronic illnesses. Over time, the group began noticing a tragic pattern: cancer patients were affected the most.
Families would come to the society for help raising funds for chemotherapy in Fiji, New Caledonia, or the Philippines. Many never made the trip. Others returned with debts they could not repay.
Within the organisation, a conversation started:
“Why don’t we bring chemotherapy to Vanuatu instead of sending families overseas?”
It sounded impossible. But the team believed it could be done.
The Turning Point: A Visit to Getmeds Philippines
In 2024, a small VFMAS delegation travelled to the Getmeds headquarters in the Philippines. This trip was a major turning point in the entire project.
During that visit, the team learned:
- How chemotherapy pharmaceuticals are transported
- How treatment cycles are planned
- Why each cancer requires different drug combinations
- How to build a safe, compliant pharmacy
- What kind of international partnerships are required
- What regulatory approvals Vanuatu would need
Getmeds Philippines — impressed by the group’s determination — agreed to support a long-term partnership.
This meeting planted the first seeds of what would later become Getmeds Vanuatu–Pacific.
The Shift From Society to Pharmacy Registration
After returning to Vanuatu, the team began formal steps:
1. Registering the business
To operate legally and import medical supplies, they needed a business entity.
Thus, the name Getmeds Vanuatu–Pacific was chosen — inspired by the Philippine partners.
2. Securing government support
Meetings were held with:
- Ministry of Health
- Pharmacy Board
- Customs
- Biosecurity
- Vanuatu Medical Services
- Private medical partners
The society understood that legitimacy and compliance were more important than speed.
3. Preparing the first location
A dedicated pharmacy setup was planned in Port Vila, following the same standards Getmeds uses in Asia.
4. Arranging visas and travel for medical specialists
This included coordination for:
- Pharmacists
- Oncology consultants
- Technicians
- Training staff
Internal messages from the VFMAS team confirmed that travel and visa arrangements for doctors had already been organised months earlier.
The Arrival of Bea: The Official Start of Chemotherapy Setup
On November 2025, the first major milestone became reality.
Bea, a specialist from Getmeds Philippines, arrived in Port Vila to set up:
- Chemotherapy handling protocols
- Staff training
- Storage and temperature-control systems
- Treatment cycle safety procedures
- Patient support documentation
- Pharmacy compliance
She will remain until the end of next month — providing training and supervision.
After she leaves, a second medical team from India and the Philippines will arrive to continue operations.
This confirms the long-term commitment to Vanuatu, not just a short-term project.
Why This Matters: A Lifeline for Families
For decades, chemotherapy has been unaffordable for most Vanuatu families.
The arrival of this pharmacy means:
- Families do NOT need to fly overseas
- Treatment is cheaper and more accessible
- Mothers and children can stay close to home
- Consultation can now be done locally
- Follow-up cycles will be consistent
- Emergency treatments can be administered in Vanuatu
This change is not symbolic — it is life-saving.
The Bigger Goal: A Full Oncology Department in 2026
Getmeds Vanuatu–Pacific is now working with:
- Ministry of Health
- Government health agencies
- Overseas oncology partners
- Regional medical suppliers
The goal: establish Vanuatu’s first full oncology department in 2026.
This would include:
- Chemotherapy pharmacy (already underway)
- Oncology consultants
- Diagnostic support
- Cancer-care pathways
- Treatment cycle management
- Patient education
This will be a historic step for the country and a major advancement for cancer care in the Pacific.
A Milestone Built on Faith, Hard Work, and Community
What began as a small group under the Vanuatu Family Medical Assistance Society has now turned into one of the most impactful private medical projects in the nation’s history.
Through:
- Determination
- International partnership
- Countless meetings
- Community support
- Medical cooperation
Vanuatu now stands on the verge of providing cancer treatment at home — something once thought impossible.
The chemotherapy pharmacy is not just a building.
It is a symbol of hope, strength, and unity.
And it is only the beginning.
Mattdotvu 
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