Value of innovation in oncology: The position of European cancer patients on access to innovative treatments

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Background: The paper presents the position of the European Cancer Patient Coalition (ECPC), in partnership with Interel, on the value of innovation in oncology today, focusing on issues that would benefit most from the direct involvement of patients.The objective of the paper is to present key factors affecting access to innovation in oncology in Europe and to propose key recommendations on how to improve equity in access and to actively involve patients in decision-making. Methods: The document was produced under the supervision of the ECPC Board of Directors, and the contribution of the ECPC General Assembly, which was consulted in June 2016 during the Annual General Meeting.The paper is based also on a systemic literature review. Results: The paper analyses the main systems barriers to access to innovation, which affect all European cancer patients: low level fo health expenditure on cancer; high cost of innovative treatments; complex regulatory and reimbursement pathways; lack of enabling environments; limited patient involvement in decision making. The paper goes on identifying 40 key policy recommendations in 10 pivotal areas (see Table). Conclusions: Innovative healthcare technologies, strategies, and services offer the potential to improve the lives of many people living with cancer. Ensuring that effective innovations are accessible and affordable to all patients is a challenge facing all cancer stakeholders. The successful development and implementation of new cancer care modalities stems from putting the needs of patients at the centre of the innovation process. Patients are the ultimate beneficiaries and users of cancer diagnosis, treatment, and care. They have unique knowledge, perspectives, and experiences that improves and encourages innovation in oncology. Optimal innovation can only be obtained by understand the diverse needs and preferences of cancer patients, and integrating patient-centred approaches into the regulatory and healthcare system. [Table: see text]