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US Oncologists Offer Strategies To Make Cancer Drugs More Affordable

by Shirley Johanna on Jul 24 2015 11:52 PM

US Oncologists Offer Strategies To Make Cancer Drugs More Affordable
A group of cancer doctors from top cancer hospitals in the US have developed a list of proposals designed to reduce the cost of cancer drugs.
Nearly 118 cancer experts produced a series of recommendations to reduce treatment expenses. Doctors said that one out of three is diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, but out-of-pocket drug costs could easily exceed the average household income of an insured patient.

According to a report published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings in 2012, four doses of one particular cancer drug costs a staggering $120,000.

“It’s time for patients and their physicians to call for change,” said Dr Ayalew Tefferi, a Mayo Clinic hematologist.

The recommendations included a proposal to allow individuals to import cancer drugs from other countries, where the drug is far cheaper, to allow Medicare to negotiate prices.

Other recommendations include creating a regulatory body that would propose fair pricing after a drug gains approval by the Food and Drug Administration, and also prevent pharmaceutical companies from delaying access to generic drugs.

“It’s time for patients and their physicians to call for change,” said Dr Tefferi.

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Source-Medindia


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