During this segment, the managed care stakeholders discuss drug spending in oncology and its relation to overall costs of cancer care. Additionally, they consider which stakeholders should work with pharmaceutical companies during the early stages of drug development, and to what degree stakeholders should collaborate with pharma.
Despite their high costs, newly emerging oncology drugs make up only 20% to 25% of overall oncology spend, and certain treatments may be associated with savings when total costs of care are considered, notes Brian Kiss, MD. For instance, some treatment options are associated with reduced length of hospitalization. However, Michael Kolodziej, MD, says that within his organization, data have demonstrated that this percentage is 35%.
Dr Kolodziej explores the impact of new, high-cost agents such as PD-1/PD-L1 drugs as treatment options for different types of cancer and discusses treatment effectiveness and appropriate drug pricing.
The use of contracting may result in innovation in terms of payment for drugs, comments Scott Gottlieb, MD. On the other hand, current government regulations stifle this innovation.
Continuing the discussion, Bruce Feinberg, DO, asks Dr Gottlieb to consider which stakeholders should work with pharmaceutical companies during the early stages of drug development.
Currently, large pharmaceutical companies are working alongside payers during the development of new drugs by providing information needed to make coverage decisions, notes Dr Gottlieb. Although discussions with payers are important, he adds, pharmaceutical companies should also work with consolidated delivery systems during drug development.
Examining Low-Value Cancer Care Trends Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
April 25th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the April 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on the rates of low-value cancer care services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Listen
Study: Anxiety May Increase Acute Exacerbation Risk for Older Patients With COPD
May 2nd 2024Older patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and anxiety exhibited exacerbated symptoms, increased comorbidities, and frequent acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD), emphasizing the need for routine psychiatric screening in COPD management.
Read More
Navigating Health Policy in an Election Year: Insights From Dr Dennis Scanlon
April 2nd 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with Dennis Scanlon, PhD, the editor in chief of The American Journal of Accountable Care®, about prior authorization, price transparency, the impact of health policy on the upcoming election, and more.
Listen
Joanne Mizell: Lifestyle Modification Programs Take Holistic Aim at Metabolic Disease
May 1st 2024Joanne Mizell shares insurer strategies in addressing the escalating rates of metabolic diseases, highlighting the importance of holistic treatment methods like lifestyle modification programs, which integrate nutrition, physical activity, and community engagement.
Read More
BRCA-Like Classification May Be a Useful Biomarker for Olaparib Response in Ovarian Cancer
May 1st 2024Adding olaparib to maintenance therapy with bevacizumab was associated with significantly longer survival for patients with ovarian cancer whose tumors have a BRCA-like genomic profile, but not among those with non-BRCA-like tumors, a study found.
Read More