Oral Antineoplastic Agents: Assessing the Delay in Care

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Health Services Research
• Pharmacoeconomics

Background:

• Oral antineoplastic agents are increasingly prescribed.
• Timely access to these medications is critical for patient treatment.
• Delays in medication receipt can impact treatment efficacy and patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the median time from prescription to patient receipt of oral antineoplastic agents.
• To identify risk factors contributing to delays in medication access.
• To inform strategies for improving timely medication delivery.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of first-time fill prescriptions for oral antineoplastic agents.
• Analysis of prescription data, including medication, indication, insurance, and prior authorization.
• Multivariate statistical analysis to identify risk factors for delayed receipt.

Main Results:

• A median of 8 days elapsed between prescription and patient receipt.
• Prescribed medication, absence of Risk Evaluation Mitigation Strategies (REMS) programs, and insurance type were identified as factors increasing time to receipt.
• Study included 58 patients.

Conclusions:

• Understanding the median time to receipt and associated risk factors is essential for healthcare providers.
• This knowledge aids in better planning and preparation for oral antineoplastic agent utilization.
• Strategies to mitigate delays can improve patient access to cancer therapies.