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Sarnola K, Koskinen H, Klintrup K, Astrup C, Kurko T. Uptake and availability of new outpatient cancer medicines in 2010-2021 in Nordic countries - survey of competent authorities. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:1437. [PMID: 38110924 PMCID: PMC10729379 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-10421-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nordic countries excel in cancer care, but studies on uptake, costs, or managed entry agreements of cancer medicines have not been conducted recently. The aim of this study was to examine the uptake and availability of orally administered new cancer medicines in Nordic countries. Orally administered cancer medicines enable and are used in the community as part of outpatient care. Firstly, we studied the distribution, costs and adoption of managed entry agreements of these medicines, and secondly, uptake of and managed entry agreements for cancer medicines used in outpatient care that were granted marketing authorization in Europe in 2010-2021. METHODS An E-mail survey of competent authorities, meaning pharmaceutical service organizers, payers or other government or non-government actors developing pharmaceutical service operations, in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden in April-June 2022. The data were analysed using frequencies and percentages for descriptive analysis. RESULTS The distribution of cancer medicines has similarities in Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, where cancer medicines can be distributed both via hospitals or hospital pharmacies for inpatient use, and via community pharmacies for outpatient use. In Denmark, cancer medicines are predominantly distributed via publicly funded hospitals. In all countries that provided data on the costs, the costs of cancer medicines had notably gone up from 2010 to 2021. The number of reimbursable medicines out of new cancer medicines varied from 36 products in Denmark and Iceland to 51 products in Sweden, out of 67 studied products. Managed entry agreements, often with confidential discounts, were in use in all Nordic countries. The number of agreements and the cancer types for which agreements were most often made varied from three agreements made in Iceland to 35 agreements made in Finland, out of 67 studied products. Average days from authorization to reimbursement of new cancer medicines varied from an average of 416 to 895 days. CONCLUSIONS Nordic countries share similar characteristics but also differ in terms of the details in distribution, adopted managed entry agreements, market entry, and availability of new orally administered cancer medicines used in the outpatient care. The costs of cancer medicines have increased in all Nordic countries during the last decade. Due to differences in health care and because orally administered cancer medicines can be dispensed at community and hospital pharmacies in all studied countries other than Denmark, the number of reimbursable medicines and managed entry agreements vary between countries. However, Nordic countries show good agreement for 2010 to 2021 in entry and reimbursement decisions of novel cancer medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kati Sarnola
- Research Unit, Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela), P.O. Box 450, Helsinki, 00056 KELA, Finland.
| | - Hanna Koskinen
- Research Unit, Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela), P.O. Box 450, Helsinki, 00056 KELA, Finland
| | - Katariina Klintrup
- Medical Advisory Centre, Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Cecilie Astrup
- Business Intelligence and Health Economy, Amgros I/S, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Terhi Kurko
- Research Unit, Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela), P.O. Box 450, Helsinki, 00056 KELA, Finland
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Butani D, Faradiba D, Dabak SV, Isaranuwatchai W, Huang-Ku E, Pachanee K, Soboon B, Culyer AJ, Teerawattananon Y. Expanding access to high-cost medicines under the Universal Health Coverage scheme in Thailand: review of current practices and recommendations. J Pharm Policy Pract 2023; 16:138. [PMID: 37936171 PMCID: PMC10631213 DOI: 10.1186/s40545-023-00643-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There has been an increasing demand to reimburse high-cost medicines, through public health insurance schemes in Thailand. METHODS A mixed method approach was employed. First, a rapid review of select high-income countries was conducted, followed by expert consultations and an in-depth review of three countries: Australia, England and Republic of Korea to understand reimbursement mechanisms of high-cost medicines. In Thailand, current pathways for reimbursing high-cost medicines reviewed, the potential opportunity cost estimated, and stakeholder consultations were conducted to identify context specific considerations. RESULTS High-income countries reviewed have implemented a variety of pathways and mechanisms for reimbursing high-cost medicines under specific eligibility criteria, listing processes, varying cost-effectiveness thresholds and special funding arrangements. In Thailand, high-cost medicines that do not offer good value-for-money are excluded from the reimbursement process. A framework for reimbursing high-cost medicines that are not cost-effective at the current willingness-to-pay threshold was proposed for Thailand. Under this framework, specific criteria are proposed to determine their eligibility for reimbursement such life-saving nature, treatment of conditions with no alternative treatment options, and affordability. CONCLUSION High-cost medicines may become eligible for reimbursement through alternative mechanisms based on specific criteria which depend on each context. The application of HTA methods and processes is important in guiding these decisions to support sustainable access to affordable healthcare in pursuit of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimple Butani
- Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program (HITAP), Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, 6th Floor, 6th Building, Tiwanon Road, Nonthaburi, 11000, Thailand
| | - Dian Faradiba
- Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program (HITAP), Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, 6th Floor, 6th Building, Tiwanon Road, Nonthaburi, 11000, Thailand
| | - Saudamini Vishwanath Dabak
- Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program (HITAP), Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, 6th Floor, 6th Building, Tiwanon Road, Nonthaburi, 11000, Thailand
| | - Wanrudee Isaranuwatchai
- Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program (HITAP), Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, 6th Floor, 6th Building, Tiwanon Road, Nonthaburi, 11000, Thailand.
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, 30 Bond St, Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8, Canada.
| | - Evan Huang-Ku
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College St Room 500, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M7, Canada
| | - Kumaree Pachanee
- Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program (HITAP), Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, 6th Floor, 6th Building, Tiwanon Road, Nonthaburi, 11000, Thailand
| | - Budsadee Soboon
- Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program (HITAP), Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, 6th Floor, 6th Building, Tiwanon Road, Nonthaburi, 11000, Thailand
| | - Anthony J Culyer
- Department of Economics and Related Studies and Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, UK
| | - Yot Teerawattananon
- Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program (HITAP), Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, 6th Floor, 6th Building, Tiwanon Road, Nonthaburi, 11000, Thailand
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore (NUS), 12 Science Drive 2, #10-01, Singapore, 117549, Singapore
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Ollila E, Kataja V, Sailas L. A David and Goliath set-up: a qualitative study of the challenges of ensuring the introduction of cost-effective new cancer medicines in Finland. J Pharm Policy Pract 2022; 15:52. [PMID: 36038900 PMCID: PMC9422122 DOI: 10.1186/s40545-022-00449-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To combat the global challenge of cancer, priority has been placed on the research and development of new cancer medicines (NCMs). NCMs are often approved for marketing in accelerated processes. Despite significant advances in treating cancer, the overall added value and high prices of NCMs has been questioned. While market authorisations for NCMs are granted at the EU level, the assessment of added value, price negotiations and purchase or reimbursement decisions are made by member states. This article explores the practices in Finland for assessing and deciding on purchasing or reimbursing NCMs. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 civil servants, hospital employees, scientists, and representatives of cancer NGOs and of the pharmaceutical industry in 2019 and 2020. The transcribed interviews were coded inductively using Atlas.ti software and analysed thematically under 3 major themes and 11 sub-themes.
Results The clinical value of NCMs is considered to be high, especially regarding NCMs for certain types of cancer. Proper patient selection is important but difficult and not all NCMs can be considered as adding value. The prices are considered to often be very high, leading to concerns about the sustainability and equity of health systems. Equity concerns among cancer patients are raised concerning differences in the availability of NCMs between hospital districts and cost differences for patients between those receiving outpatient and inpatient treatment. The systems and processes in Finland for deciding on the introduction of NCMs are fragmentary, involving separate approaches for outpatient care and hospital medicines by under-resourced evaluation bodies. The scientific evidence available is often limited for evidence-based decisions on introduction. Individual hospital districts sometimes introduce NCMs without assessment by national bodies. This can hamper the proper assessment of some NCMs before their uptake and lead to unequal access to NCMs by hospitals. There is an increasing lack of transparency about pricing, due to the rapid increase of market entry agreements. Lack of transparency on information on prices poses a challenge for authorities responsible for equitable access to cost-effective care within the available resources.
Conclusions Robust reform of the national introductory systems is needed. Internationally, efforts are needed to increase price transparency, to revise incentives within the system of market approval and to accumulate and assess evidence of comparable value and cost-effectiveness after the market approval of NCMs.
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40545-022-00449-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eeva Ollila
- Cancer Society of Finland, P.O. Box 238, 00131, Helsinki, Finland. .,Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.
| | - Vesa Kataja
- Kaiku Health, Part of ELEKTA, Helsinki, Finland.,University of Eastern Finland, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Liisa Sailas
- Cancer Center, Joint Municipal Authority for North Karelia Social and Health Care Services (SiunSote), Joensuu, Finland
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Trapani D, Curigliano G, Eniu A. Breast Cancer: Reimbursement Policies and Adoption of New Therapeutic Agents by National Health Systems. Breast Care (Basel) 2019; 14:373-381. [PMID: 31933583 DOI: 10.1159/000502637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Breast cancer is a cause of morbidity for more than half a million of patients in Europe, resulting in broad societal impacts that affect patients, families, and societies from a human, emotional, economic, and financial perspective. Expenditure for cancer medicines represents one of the principal driving costs of healthcare. The aim of this review is to describe the European policy and regulatory landscape of innovation uptake in breast oncology - with emphasis on value in cancer healthcare. Summary In Europe, several reimbursement models or policy tools have been developed by countries to compose their benefit packages. The most commonly applied scheme is the product-specific eligibility model, prioritizing selected medicines and their indications. Mixed models are commonly developed, addressing the protection of more vulnerable people, ensuring protection from impoverishment caused by cancer and containing disparities. However, the risk to incur significant out-of-pocket expenses for essential or newer medicines for cancer is still substantial in Europe, especially in low- and middle-income countries, determining greater financial distress and poorer outcome for patients. Value-based priority setting is an essential mechanism to ensure timely access to the most valuable medicines for breast cancer patients. Estimations of the value of medicines can be provided within health technology assessment services and networks and informed by benefit scales and tools. Key Messages There is ample room for reciprocal support across the diverse cultural and legal realities in Europe. The aim is common: save cancer patients from premature death by ensuring the timely access to the best care, protecting from financial hardships and distress to leave no cancer patient behind in poverty. Steps are to be taken to promote value-based priority setting, paving the way toward universal health coverage in Europe, where health of people is protected, and affordable best quality care is the only standard pursued and acceptable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Trapani
- Department of Oncology and Haematology, University of Milan, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Curigliano
- Department of Oncology and Haematology, University of Milan, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Alexandru Eniu
- Department of Breast Tumours, Cancer Institute Ion Chiricuta, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Vitry A, Mintzes B, Lipworth W. Access to new cancer medicines in Australia: dispelling the myths and informing a public debate. J Pharm Policy Pract 2016; 9:13. [PMID: 27057313 PMCID: PMC4823878 DOI: 10.1186/s40545-016-0062-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the high level of spending on cancer medicines in Australia, consumer organisations and the pharmaceutical industry often make claims of delayed or lack of access to new cancer medicines-claims that are frequently supported by prominent coverage in the Australian media. These claims, while morally and psychologically compelling, tend to ignore the complexity of medicines funding decisions. In this commentary we summarise the current situation regarding the registration and funding of cancer medicines in Australia, elucidate the main challenges associated with access to cancer medicines in the Australian context, and describe some of the steps that have been taken to address these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnes Vitry
- />School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA 5001 Australia
| | - Barbara Mintzes
- />Faculty of Pharmacy, Bias and Research Integrity Node, Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Johns Hopkins Drive, Camperdown, NSW 2050 Australia
| | - Wendy Lipworth
- />Centre for Values, Ethics and the Law in Medicine, School of Public Health, Medical Foundation Building K25, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006 Australia
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