M. Christopher Roebuck, PhD

A comparison of 2013 and 2022 data shows that cancer costs are not uniformly rising. Costs decreased for metastatic colorectal cancer but increased for both metastatic non–small cell lung cancer and multiple myeloma.

Economic incentives and patent protections drive development of innovative medications. Drug prices are determined by consumer demand, not production costs. Therefore, governmental regulation risks future investment in research and development.

Curative direct-acting antivirals for chronic hepatitis C provide a net economic benefit to Medicaid in less than 1 year. Cumulative savings to date have exceeded $15 billion.