ESMO, the leading professional
organisation for medical oncology, shares concerns expressed in a scientific
paper and reflected in the international media about the rising costs of
cancer medicines.
The authors of The Journal of Oncology Practice paper used
both the ESMO Magnitude of Clinical Benefit Scale (ESMO-MCBS) and
ASCO’s Value Framework to assess whether the clinical benefits of novel
anticancer drugs have increased over time in parallel with increasing pricing.
The authors concluded that while costs of these have risen over the past
decade, their clinical benefit has not improved proportionally.
The ESMO-MCBS uses a rational, structured and consistent
approach to rank the level of clinically meaningful benefit that can be
expected from anticancer treatments.
Prof. Elisabeth de Vries, Chair of the ESMO Cancer Medicines
Committee and the ESMO-MCBS Working Group, said: “The ESMO-MCBS
provides unbiased information to help guide physicians and decision makers to
measure the value of drugs newly approved by the European Medicines Agency
(EMA) by assessing their clinical benefit. It is an important first step in the
major and ongoing task of evaluating value in cancer care which is essential
for the appropriate use of limited public treasuryfunds in delivering
cost-effective and more affordable cancer care.”
Prof. Josep Tabernero, ESMO President, said: “Access to
anticancer medicines is an essential component of high quality cancer care,
hence affordability is crucial in providing optimal treatment and patient
care.” There are however many additional critical factors. “Other major considerations
include the availability of highly trained practicing oncologists,
up-to-the-minute diagnostics, the necessary funding and frameworks in place to
ensure correct political research of excellence,; a holistic approach to
cancer care incorporating supportive and palliative care, and a
multidisciplinary approach to best manage and treat our cancer patients”
continued Tabernero.
“ESMO calls for a multi-stakeholder commitment towards
ultimately ensuring access to optimal cancer care for all patients,” said
Tabernero. “Sustainable cancer care is a key pillar of the ESMO 2020 Vision and we are determined to
continue pursuing this goal in collaboration with our partners.”
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