The use of innovative oncology drugs in Europe

Abstract

16020 Background: A number of new innovative cancer drugs have recently been approved or are in the process of being approved. Rapid patient access to new innovative drugs is important as it may lead to improved survival. Methods: We have analysed the access and uptake of new oncology drugs in 19 European countries over a 15 year period based on sales data provided by IMS Health. In the study we focus on select, “targeted” drugs that have been introduced over the last 10 years: rituximab, trastuzumab and imatinib. We have also analysed data to assess the composition of the drug “arsenal” used in the selected countries based on % of total sales for cancer drugs introduced before 1993; between1993–1998 and after 1999. Results: We see different patterns of uptake in countries studied, both with respect to speed and level of usage, in relation to use per person dying of the specific cancers.. Fast uptake is seen in Austria, Switzerland and Spain, and slow uptake as well as low usage is seen in Poland, Hungary, Norway and the UK. For example, trastuzumab uptake indicates that countries with the fastest uptake treat the majority of HER2 over expressing metastatic breast cancer patients within 2–3 years after introduction while countries with slow uptake still after 5 years seem to have a large proportion of patients not receiving trastuzumab treatment. On the other hand, for a drug like imatinib the uptake has been more rapid and uniform in most countries. The composition of the cancer drug “arsenal” used also differs significantly in between countries. Conclusions: Patient access to innovative cancer drugs varies significantly between European countries. [Table: see text]