As TV 2 previously told a new type of immunotherapy with so-called PD1 inhibitors, which help the body’s own immune system to fight cancer, has shown very promising results.
Patients who are affected by several types of cancer have been given extended life and improved quality of life. In addition, PD1 inhibitors be appropriate to use against a variety of other cancers.
The problem is that the drug is very expensive.
Can cost billions
With a price of 1.1 million per patient per year, the new treatment may cost up to three billion for health regions, says technical director Bård-Christian scheme in Helse Vest in a memo to his colleagues, writes Bergens Tidende .
Some 1,500 lung cancer patients is appropriate for getting PD1-drug. The price for the current medications for these patients is approximately 10,000 per year.
– This whole medicine group is very exciting. And I would have thought that we would see a strong development in this group ahead, both in effect and that it goes down in price , says Lars Vorland, Director of Health North, to TV 2.
But he is also very concerned about the staggering sums on drugs.
A preliminary “no”
Norwegian lung cancer association believes treatment should be used immediately, while Decision Forum for new methods – in which the directors of the four health regions sitting – have said a provisional no.
The forum will examine each of the major costs will pay off economically before they say yes. Health Bent Høie refuses pharmaceutical companies to dictate the price.
Medicines Agency has not considered the matter yet.
admits that approval takes time
And while Norwegian patients have to wait, you Danish people with cancer already use the expensive immunotherapy-medicines.
– Is it too long before you get an approval in Norway?
– In Denmark also problems that the cost of these medications are too great. We discuss how we can use all these drugs, for the price is very high. We want these medications, but it must be at a price that is acceptable, says Lars Vorland.
– But do you use for a long time?
– We has enough spent any time at any of the drugs. I think time will go down, but it takes time to make technology assessment, says Vorland .
Requires health minister on the field
The forum will ask the Ministry of Health involved in the question of how the galloping costs shall be dealt with.
Health Minister Bent Høie (H) says the hospitals’ budgets have increased in recent years to meet increased costs. But he is clear that pharmaceutical companies are not allowed to dictate prices.
(TV 2 / NTB)
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