Insurers And Targeted Biologies' For Cancer: A Conversation With Lee N. Newcomer-More patient involvement in clinical trials is the key to improving how new biologics are used in everyday medical practice.

摘要

New drugs for cancer, targeted at the specific genetic profile of various tumors, are revolutionizing cancer therapy, but at a very high cost. Most carry a price tag of $50,000 or more per patient per year. Lee Newcomer examines the medical and policy issues from his perspective at UnitedHealthcare and from his experience as an oncologist. In this interview, Newcomer suggests that all patients receiving the targeted biologies be required to participate in a clinical trial or an insurance company registry so that data can be collected to assure that the right drugs are prescribed for the right patients.