Opportunities to significantly reduce expenditure associated with cancer drugs

Abstract

Many expensive cancer drugs are suitable for global cost-reduction strategies. Collaboration is vital to affecting change and reducing expenditure.

A further strategy to combat the high price of anticancer drugs

“…14, 381-390 (2017)) 1 , Prasad and colleagues discussed a number of possible solutions to the increasing global problem of rising costs associated with medications for the treatment of cancer. Their solutions are principally aimed at reducing the price of anticancer drugs; however, other approaches have also been proposed 2,3 . The objective of these alternative strategies is to achieve savings, not by reducing drug acquisition prices, but rather by making better use of the drugs to ensure greater value for money, primarily by minimizing wastage.…”

“…In this context, waste has been defined as the appropriate and/or in appropriate disposal of unused or partially used ampoules, vials, or syringes of drugs 4 . Waste can also occur with parenteral products that have been prepared for administration to the patient by diluting drugs in bags, bottles, or other vessels 2 . This concern is particularly relevant to products that have limited stability following preparation, with short expiry dates that reduce the possibility of the products being used at a later date.…”

“…A study with results published in 2017 identified numerous injectable anticancer drugs that are potentially amenable to strategies for reducing expenditure by avoiding drug wastage 2 . To provide a global perspective, information was obtained from 20 diverse countries across Europe, Asia, North and South America, Africa, and Australasia, on 45 anticancer drugs, comprising 29 cytotoxic agents and 16 monoclonal antibodies 2 .…”

“…To provide a global perspective, information was obtained from 20 diverse countries across Europe, Asia, North and South America, Africa, and Australasia, on 45 anticancer drugs, comprising 29 cytotoxic agents and 16 monoclonal antibodies 2 . Data on a number of factors, including the range of vial sizes available and the stability of the products after preparation for administration, were sourced from the product information, if marketed, in each country 2 . The available vial sizes varied substantially between countries; however, numerous medications were often supplied in only a single vial size 2 .…”

“…Data on a number of factors, including the range of vial sizes available and the stability of the products after preparation for administration, were sourced from the product information, if marketed, in each country 2 . The available vial sizes varied substantially between countries; however, numerous medications were often supplied in only a single vial size 2 . Stability data were inconsistently and variably reported by the manufacturer between countries, with most drugs given only a 24 h expiry period 2 .…”