The cost of cancer care has become a frequent topic of conversation in oncology conferences and publications, as well as among other stakeholders, including patients and payers. In a recent editorial published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, David G. Pfister, MD, Chief, Head and Neck Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, joined the discussion, acknowledging previous discussions related to the cost of cancer drugs and the notion that the status quo in drug pricing allows for arbitrary setting of a price for a drug that is not necessarily based on a demonstration of true value. However, Dr Pfister insists, although the high costs of cancer drugs are unsustainable, cancer drugs are not the only drivers of the rising costs in oncology. The need to demonstrate value does not apply to cancer drugs only, he says. Drug costs are only part of the problem.
“The cost of cancer care is driven by many factors, of which the price of anticancer drugs is but one; similarly, drug choice and efficacy impact on other resource use (eg, symptom/supportive care measures; inpatient facility use).” Dr Pfister notes that when the American Society of of Clinical Oncology listed its “top 5 opportunities” to reduce costs and improve care, only 2 of the things listed there were related to drug therapy; the other 3 were related to different areas of cancer care. Clearly, Dr Pfister insists, “Any strategy moving forward for cost containment of these drugs needs to be considered in this broader sense” of all the aspects of cancer care.
Dr Pfister urges oncologists to take matters into their hands and begin to consider costs as part of the entire picture of patient care. “The mandate for demonstrating value in the care we provide is only increasing; we have the scientific tools to help us with these determinations. The best way forward may be controversial, but as oncologists advocating for our patients, we have a responsibility to better understand these issues, explain their implications to our patients, and work with our professional societies and other stakeholders to be part of the solution.” J Clin Oncol. 2013;31:3487-3489. Epub 2013 Sept 3
