Drug pricing and value in oncology

Abstract

This paper first reviews the evidence on price levels, price growth, and value for cancer drugs. The available evidence suggests that prices for originator (brand-name) drugs are rising significantly more rapidly than general inflation, but the available data are inadequate for robust comparisons between cancer and other categories of specialty drugs. We then examine the factors contributing to high and rising prices for cancer drugs. This analysis focuses mainly on the USA, which accounts for 46% of global expenditures on cancer drugs. It is the country of first launch for most cancer and other specialty drugs and frequently has the highest prices for drugs.