The access to oncology drugs in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom: A comparison based on data from 1998 to 2007

Abstract

6525 Background: Drugs constitute a key element in the treatment of solid tumors and in haematology. We have analysed the access and uptake of oncology drugs in 27 countries over a 10 year period (1998–2007) based on sales data provided by IMS Health ( www.comparatorreports.se ). Methods: In this special analysis we study a set of “mature” cancer drugs ( irinotecan, aromatase inhibitors (AIs), oxaliplatin, docetaxel, rituximab, gemcitabine, trastuzumab and imatinib) available in 2002 or before and a set of “new” cancer drugs (bortezomib, cetuximab, bevacizumab, pemetrexed, erlotinib, sorafinib, sunitinib and dasatinib) available in 2003 or later. The “mature” drugs have been selected based on the fact that they have been available for a long period of time (at least 5 years) and that there is accumulated evidence based on clinical trials, epidemiological studies and clinical experience that they have had a major and clinically relevant impact on the outcome in different areas of oncology. Results: We see very different patterns of use in countries studied. The total use of cancer drugs (€/capita) in 2007 is highest in France and lowest in the UK, with the other countries at a relatively similar level in between. The pattern of use of “new drugs” follows that of “mature drugs”, but the very low use of new drugs in UK is noticeable. The differences seen between groups are also reflected in the use of individual drugs, although for example AIs and trastuzumab in the “mature” group have a more uniform use across the countries. The expected survival for cancer patients have been, in general, lower in the UK compared to other western European countries, but further studies are needed to establish the impact of treatment patterns on population outcome. Conclusions: The similarity in use of both “mature” and “new” oncology drugs indicate that differences in access, found for example between France and UK, is related to health care system factors rather that evidence on outcome of use of the drugs. [Table: see text] [Table: see text]