New Outpatient Cancer Medicines: Reimbursement and Uptake
New cancer medicines are one of the key groups in medicine innovations. New cancer medicines often have narrow therapeutic indications, although extensions to indications and suitability for outpatient care have become increasingly more typical. With outpatient cancer medicines, the costs and share of reimbursement expenditures have increased throughout the 21st century. So far, there are limited data available on the uptake of new cancer medicines in Finland.
This research project comprises three substudies that aim to generate new data on the reimbursement of new outpatient cancer medicines, the impact of indication extensions on the use of the medicines, and the implementation of treatment. The project is carried out in cooperation with Kela’s Nationwide Customer Service business unit.
The first substudy is a survey carried out in all Nordic Countries. It examines the uptake and costs of new outpatient cancer medicines as well as the number and type of risk-sharing agreements. The second substudy focuses on the extensions of therapeutic indications and the quality of research behind the extensions. In addition, the second substudy analyses the effects of wider reimbursements on the use and costs of new cancer medicines. The study is based on public assessment reports and statistical data from the European Medicines Agency. The third substudy is a register-based study investigating the uptake of new outpatient cancer medicines and implementation of pharmacotherapies. The substudy is part of a larger project called Medicines and the Pharmaceutical Sector in a Changing Environment. This research project is also linked to another project examining the regional use and uptake of new and expensive cancer medicines.
Researchers
- Terhi Kurko, Leading Researcher
- Hanna Koskinen
- Anna-Maria Ruuskanen
- Kati Sarnola
Project Implementation Period
1.1.2021–31.12.2026
Project Results
- Arviomme syöpälääke lenalidomidin säästöpotentiaalista toteutui – mitä tapahtuu muille syöpälääkkeille? (research blog)
- Evaluating the saving potential of lenalidomide before and after transition to the reference price system in Finland (pdf) (10.11.2023) (ISPOR EUROPE 2023)
- Uptake and Availability of New Outpatient Cancer Medicines in 2010-2021 in Nordic Countries - Survey of Competent Authorities (research publication)
