Abstract
Introduction: The therapeutic scenario of Oncology is enriching of innovative agents which are determining an increase in public expenditure because of their high cost. In Italy, a web-based government Registry is used to monitor the clinical use of these drugs and, in later phases, to obtain funds reimbursement according to specific economic agreements with companies.Methods: A health policy expert Pharmacist was included in the multidisciplinary team of the Department of Abdominal Oncology of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of Naples “G. Pascale Foundation” in order to improve the management of the Registry for oncologic drugs monitoring. Pharmacist activities were: basal data registration, prescription appropriateness, drug request, response monitoring, toxicity reporting, follow-up, reimbursement request. These activities were conducted in strict interrelation with clinicians. The source of data were medical records and a web-based national reimbursement platform. The analysis of the economic impact of this strategy was descriptive and it was indicated as resources recovery comparing 2 years: 2015 vs. 2016. The currency reference used was the Euro (€).Results: A total of 932 patients were followed-up and registered, 365 treatments are ongoing at the Department of Abdominal Oncology (NCI of Naples, Italy). The most prescribed biologic drug in advanced gastrointestinal cancers was bevacizumab. Compared to the year 2015, in 2016 we recorded a strong increase of reimbursements: EUR 881.712,42 vs. EUR 214.554,98.Conclusions: We suggest that the reimbursement process can be improved when a health policy reimbursement professional Pharmacist is integrated in the multidisciplinary team along with clinicians.
Highlights
The therapeutic scenario of Oncology is enriching of innovative agents which are determining an increase in public expenditure because of their high cost
We suggest that the reimbursement process can be improved when a health policy reimbursement professional Pharmacist is integrated in the multidisciplinary team along with clinicians
A total of 932 patients are followed-up and 365 treatments are ongoing for gastrointestinal oncology specialties Managed Entry Agreements (MEA)-repayable
Summary
The therapeutic scenario of Oncology is enriching of innovative agents which are determining an increase in public expenditure because of their high cost [1]. The National Health Authorities are called upon to determine the price of the new drugs in relation to their effectiveness and innovativeness; the data at the time of authorization of medicinal products for marketing by European Medicines Agency (EMA) are often insufficient to accurately estimate the effects (efficacy and toxicity) in real practice [2]. Details about MEA (entity of reimbursements, timings, outcomes, etc.) cannot be revealed because of their private nature
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