Reassessing onco-exceptionalism: equity and resource allocation in immunotherapeutic cancer treatments
Hamideh Frühwein1, Nikolai Münch2, Norbert W Paul2
1Institute for the History, Philosophy and Ethics of Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany h.mahdiani@uni-mainz.de.
Abstract:
Given that only a small fraction of patients with cancer exhibits specific markers making them eligible for effective targeted therapies, this paper investigates the justification of treating cancer differently in terms of resource allocation when it comes to the application of novel precise therapies-the so-called onco-exceptionalism. Specifically, it assesses whether the reimbursement of expensive drugs is equitable. To do so, we first contextualise healthcare resource allocation concerning immunotherapeutic treatments for cancer, then explore arguments for and against onco-exceptionalism and finally conclude by advocating for a proactive health approach.
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