A Report on Health Resource Use of Internal Radiation Therapy with 131I-MIBG (2nd Survey)

Abstract

Internal radiation therapy using Iodine-131 metaiodobenzylguanidine (131I-MIBG) for neuroblastoma has been discussed whether a special application scheme for off-labeled drugs called "Kouchi-Shinsei" could be applied to neuroblastoma or not by the Evaluation Committee on Unapproved or Off-labeled Drug with High Medical Needs (the Committee); if the Committee determines that Kouchi-Shinsei is applicable, neuroblastoma indication is expected to be regulatory approved within a year. Since a NHI medical technical fee is not yet set for neuroblastoma, the Japanese Society of Nuclear Medicine surveyed health resource use via a questionnaire survey of medical institution that has conducted a Japanese Advanced Medical Care B clinical study in neuroblastoma. Results showed that the necessary total cost per patient is 1,847,451 JPY when calculated based on the Draft Proposal for Medical Examination Value (Ver. 7.3) of the Japanese Health Insurance Federation for Surgery. Because follow-up is necessary for 3 months after administration, it was considered that an appropriate fee per patient is 1,847,451 JPY and an appropriate NHI medical technical fee per patient is 46,186 points which can be claimed up to once a month for 4 times including the initial month of the treatment.