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Willingness to pay for an mRNA-based anti-cancer treatment: results from a contingent valuation study in Israel
Omer Ben-Aharon1, Ruslan Sergienko2, Georgi Iskrov3
1Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel. NoaAndOmer@gmail.com.
Background:
mRNA technology is currently being investigated for a range of oncology indications. We assessed the willingness to pay (WTP) of the general population in Israel for a hypothetical novel mRNA-based treatment for oncology indications.
Methods:
We used a contingent valuation methodology to elicit WTP using a web-based questionnaire. A sample of adult participants were presented with a hypothetical scenario in which an mRNA-based intervention increased the likelihood of a cure for various cancer types from 20% to 40% (half of the sample), or 60% (the other half of the sample).
Results:
531 respondents completed the questionnaire. The mean, median and mode WTP for the proposed hypothetical treatment in both scenarios were ILS65,000 (± ILS114,000), ILS20,000 and ILS50,000, respectively (1USD = 3.4ILS). The WTP was skewed towards zero, and 9.6% of the respondents were not willing to pay any amount. WTP higher amounts was significantly associated with higher income (p < 0.01), self-reported good health (p < 0.05), supplementary health insurance (p < 0.05), Jews compared to other populations (p < 0.01), interest in technology (p < 0.001) and a tendency to adopt medical innovations (p < 0.001). No statistical difference between the 40% vs. the 60% potential cure scenarios was found. Logistic and OLS regressions indicated that age, religion, income, and interest in adopting medical innovations were the best predictors of respondents' WTP.
Conclusion:
Despite the scientific breakthroughs in oncology treatment over the last few decades, many types of cancer are still incurable. Given the expected development of innovative mRNA-based treatments for cancer, these results should inform policymakers, the pharmaceutical industry and other stakeholders on the future coverage and reimbursement of these technologies incorporating patients' and societal views. To date, WTP considerations have not been given much weight in prioritization of drug reimbursement processes, neither in Israel nor in other countries. As a pioneer in adoption of the mRNA technology, Israel can also lead the incorporation of WTP considerations in this field.
Insights
The general population in Israel showed a willingness to pay (WTP) for novel mRNA cancer treatments, with factors like income and health influencing WTP. These findings can guide future reimbursement policies for innovative oncology therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biotechnology
- Health Economics
Background:
- Messenger RNA (mRNA) technology is under investigation for various cancer treatments.
- Assessing public willingness to pay (WTP) for novel mRNA-based oncology therapies in Israel is crucial for future market access and reimbursement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the general population's willingness to pay (WTP) for a hypothetical mRNA-based cancer treatment in Israel.
- To identify demographic and socioeconomic factors influencing WTP for innovative oncology treatments.
Main Methods:
- A contingent valuation methodology was employed using a web-based questionnaire.
- Participants were presented with scenarios of mRNA interventions improving cancer cure rates from 20% to 40% or 60%.
- 531 adult respondents completed the survey, and their WTP was analyzed using logistic and OLS regressions.
Main Results:
- The mean, median, and mode willingness to pay (WTP) were ILS65,000, ILS20,000, and ILS50,000, respectively.
- Higher WTP was significantly associated with higher income, self-reported good health, supplementary insurance, Jewish ethnicity, interest in technology, and adoption of medical innovations.
- No significant difference in WTP was observed between the 40% and 60% potential cure scenarios.
Conclusions:
- Despite advancements, many cancers remain incurable, highlighting the need for innovative treatments like mRNA therapies.
- Patient and societal perspectives, including WTP, should inform policymakers and the pharmaceutical industry regarding coverage and reimbursement of new oncology technologies.
- Israel has the potential to lead in incorporating WTP considerations into reimbursement decisions for mRNA-based cancer treatments.
