Christine Leong1, Piotr Czaykowski2,3,4, Marc Geirnaert2, Alan Katz3,5, Roxana Dragan5, Marina Yogendran5, Colette Raymond3,5. 1. College of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba, 219 Apotex Centre, 750 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0T5, Canada. Christine.leong@umanitoba.ca. 2. CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. 3. Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. 4. Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Haematology/Oncology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. 5. Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Abstract
INTERVENTION: In April 2012, the Manitoba Home Cancer Drug Program (HCDP) was introduced to allow 100% coverage for eligible oral anticancer agents (OAA) and supportive medications for Manitobans with cancer requiring these therapies. RESEARCH QUESTIONS: What is the extent of use and cost of OAAs among outpatients in Manitoba from 2003/04 to 2015/16? Did the HCDP change OAA user and prescription patterns? METHODS: This was a retrospective, population-based study using administrative data to measure the prevalence of drug utilization over time and the impact of HCDP on OAA use and prescriptions using generalized linear models. Manitobans with cancer who filled an OAA or supportive medication covered by HCDP from 2003/04 to 2015/16 were included. RESULTS: This study included 22,393 people with cancer who filled an OAA prescription. The prevalence of OAA use increased from 222 per 100,000 to 328 per 100,000 from 2003/04 to 2015/16. Hormone therapy for breast cancer was the most common class of OAA used (increased from 154 per 100,000 to 231 per 100,000). We observed a 2.6-fold decrease in the prevalence of oral alkylating agents and a 10.7-fold increase in the prevalence of protein kinase inhibitors during the study period. The total cost of targeted OAAs per year for all Manitobans with cancer increased from $1.8 million to $19 million. CONCLUSION: We observed an increase in OAA prevalence and the cost of oral targeted chemotherapy is high. Our findings underline the need for addressing these high-cost medications in future developments of a national drug program.
INTERVENTION: In April 2012, the Manitoba Home Cancer Drug Program (HCDP) was introduced to allow 100% coverage for eligible oral anticancer agents (OAA) and supportive medications for Manitobans with cancer requiring these therapies. RESEARCH QUESTIONS: What is the extent of use and cost of OAAs among outpatients in Manitoba from 2003/04 to 2015/16? Did the HCDP change OAA user and prescription patterns? METHODS: This was a retrospective, population-based study using administrative data to measure the prevalence of drug utilization over time and the impact of HCDP on OAA use and prescriptions using generalized linear models. Manitobans with cancer who filled an OAA or supportive medication covered by HCDP from 2003/04 to 2015/16 were included. RESULTS: This study included 22,393 people with cancer who filled an OAA prescription. The prevalence of OAA use increased from 222 per 100,000 to 328 per 100,000 from 2003/04 to 2015/16. Hormone therapy for breast cancer was the most common class of OAA used (increased from 154 per 100,000 to 231 per 100,000). We observed a 2.6-fold decrease in the prevalence of oral alkylating agents and a 10.7-fold increase in the prevalence of protein kinase inhibitors during the study period. The total cost of targeted OAAs per year for all Manitobans with cancer increased from $1.8 million to $19 million. CONCLUSION: We observed an increase in OAA prevalence and the cost of oral targeted chemotherapy is high. Our findings underline the need for addressing these high-cost medications in future developments of a national drug program.
Authors: Lonneke Timmers; Jan Jacob Beckeringh; Myrthe P P van Herk-Sukel; Epie Boven; Jacqueline G Hugtenburg Journal: Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf Date: 2011-09-29 Impact factor: 2.890
Authors: F Bassan; F Peter; B Houbre; M J Brennstuhl; M Costantini; E Speyer; C Tarquinio Journal: Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) Date: 2013-09-15 Impact factor: 2.520
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