Uptake of Novel Outpatient Cancer Medicines Varies by Region
Abstract
Background
The launch of the new wellbeing services counties highlights the need for regional information concerning the use of medicines.
Methods
We investigated the uptake of novel reimbursed outpatient cancer medicines from Kela's statistical data. The introduction of medicines was
examined by catchment area (ERVA), from the inclusion in the reimbursement system until the first medicine purchase. In addition, we
examined the number of those receiving reimbursements adjusted to the regional population size.
Results
The majority of the new outpatient cancer medicines (n = 43) was introduced in all ERVA areas. The number of the introduced medicines was highest in HYKS and TYKS areas (n = 39), and the lowest in KYS area (n = 35). Most medicines were introduced in less than a month from their inclusion into the reimbursement scheme. Almost during the entire study period, the largest number of persons receiving reimbursements was in TYKS area. Regional differences were observed between different cancer medicine groups.
Conclusions
The introduction of new cancer medicines and the time to their uptake varies between individual cancer medicines. In addition, there are
other regional differences in the use of medicines that cannot be explained by the population of the regions. As the use of outpatient
cancer medicines increases, community pharmacies could take more active role in supporting cancer patients’ pharmacotherapy.
Full text in Finnish (dosis.fi)
Authors
Martta Huttu, Katariina Klintrup, Terhi Kurko, Hanna Koskinen
Additional Information
- Peer-Reviewed: yes.
- Open Access: yes.
- Cite as: Huttu, M., Klintrup, K., Kurko, T., & Koskinen, H. (2024). Syöpälääkkeiden käyttöönotossa on alueellisia eroja. Dosis, 40(3), 240–55. https://dosis.fi/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/240_Dosis_324_Huttu.pdf
