Prioritising systemic cancer therapies applying ESMO’s tools and other resources to assist in improving cancer care globally: the Kazakh experience

•In Kazakhstan, from 2009 to 2019, there was a significant increase in costs of cancer care and cancer medicines.•ESMO, under the guidance of WHO, reviewed the Kazakh cancer treatment protocols and national essential medicines list.•The ESMO four-phase approach helped Kazakhstan in prioritising the most effective and high-impact cancer medicines.•This approach can be applied in the evaluation of any national formulary as it uses open-access, evidence-based references.•This collaboration is an example of how we can improve access to cancer medicines and positively impact patient care.