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Implementation of In Vitro Drug Resistance Assays: Maximizing the Potential for Uncovering Clinically Relevant Resistance Mechanisms
Published on: December 9, 2015
Advances in cancer therapeutics and patient access to new drugs
George Dranitsaris1, Ilse Truter, Martie S Lubbe
1Department of Pharmacy, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa. gdranit@ca.inter.net
Abstract:
Globally, there are approximately 7.4 million cancer deaths annually, approximately 13% of deaths from all causes. Cancer is a disease of older people and, as the population ages over the next 10-20 years, we can expect an increase in the cancer incidence. Encouragingly, cancer mortality has stabilized in many countries. Part of this success may be attributed to the development of new cancer agents, collectively called 'targeted therapies', that are more specific to key components of tumour growth. Worldwide, however, one of the main factors that limit patient access to these important new drugs is their cost, which is higher than traditional chemotherapy. In this review, the clinical and pharmacoeconomic data of selected targeted agents are discussed. In the second part of this article, the challenges faced by healthcare systems in making such drugs available to patients is reviewed. Current strategies used by many countries around the world to manage cancer drug budgets are presented, along with a proposed approach using pharmacoeconomic methodology that may increase patient access.
Insights
Targeted cancer therapies offer improved outcomes but high costs limit patient access. This review examines clinical data, pharmacoeconomics, and healthcare system challenges to propose strategies for increasing access to these vital cancer treatments.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacoeconomics
- Health Policy
Background:
- Cancer remains a leading cause of death globally, with incidence projected to rise due to an aging population.
- While targeted therapies have improved cancer mortality rates in many regions, their high cost presents a significant barrier to patient access.
- Traditional chemotherapy remains a benchmark, but newer agents offer greater specificity in targeting tumor growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical and pharmacoeconomic data of selected targeted cancer therapies.
- To examine the challenges healthcare systems face in providing patient access to expensive targeted cancer drugs.
- To present current global strategies for managing cancer drug budgets and propose a pharmacoeconomic approach to enhance patient access.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical trial data for targeted cancer agents.
- Analysis of pharmacoeconomic evaluations of selected targeted therapies.
- Examination of healthcare system policies and budget management strategies for cancer drugs worldwide.
Main Results:
- Targeted therapies demonstrate clinical efficacy but are associated with substantially higher costs than traditional chemotherapy.
- Significant challenges exist for healthcare systems in affording and distributing these novel, high-cost cancer treatments.
- Various global strategies are employed to manage cancer drug expenditures, with varying success in ensuring patient access.
Conclusions:
- Pharmacoeconomic evaluation is crucial for assessing the value of targeted cancer therapies.
- Innovative healthcare system strategies and funding models are needed to overcome cost barriers and improve patient access to life-saving targeted cancer treatments.
- A proposed pharmacoeconomic methodology may offer a framework for increasing patient access to essential cancer therapies.
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