Efficient allocation of novel agents in Multiple Myeloma: A work in progress

Abstract

Payers of healthcare worldwide are concerned with the rising costs of healthcare. The costs of oncology care alone have increased, with the size of the oncology market having more than doubled since 1997, reaching $35 billion in 2006. Scientific advances, particularly the development of targeted agents, are a contributing factor to the rise in oncology costs. Patient outcomes have improved, but at significantly higher costs compared to conventional therapies. Over the past 40 years the median monthly costs of cancer drugs have risen from less than $100 in 1965–1969 to more than $5000 in 2005–2009 (2007 prices), with cancer drugs now accounting for10–20%of total expenditures for cancerand5%of total drug expenditures.