What's Happening?
The OECD's 2024 report on access to oncology medicines in EU and OECD countries has identified significant challenges in ensuring equitable patient access to cancer treatments. The report highlights a rapid increase in oncology drug approvals, yet disparities persist across regulatory, access, and commercialization stages. Key barriers include delays from regulatory approval to reimbursement, immature evidence for reimbursement, affordability concerns, and slow clinical uptake. The report suggests that manufacturers should consider early market access planning, innovative contracting models, and integrating diagnostics strategies to improve access and equity.
Why It's Important?
The findings of the OECD report are crucial for stakeholders in the healthcare industry, including manufacturers, policymakers, and payers. Addressing these barriers is essential for improving patient outcomes and ensuring timely access to life-saving oncology medicines. The report emphasizes the need for collaboration among stakeholders to streamline processes and reduce disparities in access. For manufacturers, overcoming these challenges can enhance return on investment and optimize launch performance. The report also highlights the importance of integrating diagnostics into treatment pathways to ensure coordinated access to personalized cancer therapies.
What's Next?
The introduction of the EU HTA for oncology medicines offers potential to streamline clinical assessments and improve access. Manufacturers are encouraged to engage early with payers and regulators to align on evidence requirements and manage budget impact concerns. Innovative contracting models and value-based pricing could help overcome access and affordability challenges. Supporting real-world uptake through investment in diagnostic infrastructure and staff training is also recommended. Collaboration between stakeholders is key to reducing disparities and improving predictability of market access.
