A study of European countries by London-based researchers shows the adverse impact of global financial crisis on cancer drug reimbursements
A study conducted by researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom, shows that different kinds of cancer treatments exist in different European countries.
After analysing the policies and data from 10 nations, the researchers concluded that the countries which boast of social health schemes have a better system of reimbursing cancer drugs than tax-based ones.
The paper authored by Laia Maynou and John Cairns is important as many European nations are gradually decreasing public fundings and moving towards other models of healthcare, including insurance and tax-based systems.
The National Health Services of the UK, a model known for its successful public healthcare delivery, is shifting more and more towards insurance and public-private partnership. Going by the findings of this paper, such moves will not be in favour of cancer patients.
More about the research
Drug reimbursement is a policy system that determines whether or not a particular drug is entitled to be reimbursed under the healthcare system. Different countries make different decisions regarding which cancer treatments and drugs to routinely provide for.
The researchers analysed 875 decisions of 10 countries between 2002 and 2014. The decisions were related to the reimbursement of cancer drugs. The decision outcomes were plotted for 2002 to 2014 in order to assess the effect of the global financial crisis on reimbursements.
The analysis shows that from 2008, when the economic crisis started, there was a drop in the percentage of decisions in favour of drug reimbursements.
“It appears that the crisis, and consequent austerity measures, had an impact on the cancer reimbursement decisions,” a researcher said.
The paper also shows that cost-effective drugs increase the probability of reimbursements. Moreover, the findings also corroborate that an economic evaluation requirement reduces the number of decisions approving reimbursements.
“To sum up, characteristics of the drug reimbursement system, drug particularities and the socio-economic situation are the main factors determining the differences across countries,” the researcher added.
Why do some countries approve a cancer drug and others don’t?
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.