Cost of Cancer Treatments in Canada
Author Information
Author(s): Arik Drucker, Skedgel C., Virik K., Rayson D., Sellon M., Younis T.
Primary Institution: Dalhousie University
Hypothesis
What are the cost implications of using trastuzumab and bevacizumab for cancer treatment in Canada?
Conclusion
Trastuzumab and bevacizumab therapies will significantly increase the cost burden on Canada's health care system.
Supporting Evidence
- Trastuzumab costs $49,915 for adjuvant and $28,350 for metastatic breast cancer treatment.
- Bevacizumab costs $48,490 for metastatic lung cancer and $39,614 for metastatic colorectal cancer treatment.
- Total lifetime costs for trastuzumab and bevacizumab could reach approximately $426 million across all patients diagnosed in one year.
Takeaway
Using certain cancer drugs can make treatment much more expensive for everyone. This study looked at how much more money Canada might need to spend on these drugs.
Methodology
Estimated costs of monoclonal antibody therapy per patient and included medical resource utilization costs.
Limitations
The study relied on several assumptions and older cost estimates, which may not reflect current practices.
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