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Accepted Paper:
Short abstract:
The high costs and social repercussions related to oncology drugs highlight the necessity for a thorough examination of the choices and biases in pharmacoeconomic studies. This study aims to analyse reports from INESSS to understand the factors defining these methodological choices and decisions.
Long abstract:
Over the last decade, many authors have highlighted significant methodological discrepancies found in health technology assessments (HTA) regarding oncology drugs. These variations persist in the uncertainty of therapeutic value and in the assessment of quality of life, among others. As HTA agencies advise policymakers on reimbursement decisions, this raises significant concerns regarding the choices and biases inherent in both the pharmacoeconomic analyses carried out by manufacturers and the decisions made regarding HTAs.
The case of Québec is noteworthy, as the province spent $1.2 billion on oncology drugs in 2021 through its public insurer program, the Régie de l'Assurance Médicament du Québec (RAMQ). The province also possess its own HTA agency, the Institut National d'Excellence en Santé et Services Sociaux (INESSS), which operates separately from agencies in other canadian provinces. The significant rise in innovative treatments and associated expenses underscores the importance of analyzing Quebec's pharmacoeconomic practices in oncology. The critical consideration lies in whether these high costs genuinely reflect innovation or primarily serve to generate profits.
The examination of methodological choices and methodologies in health technology assessments, particularly in oncology, emphasises the importance of understanding factors contributing to the high costs of innovative therapies, as demonstrated by Quebec's substantial expenditures on oncology drugs. This study's objective is to examine publicly available reports from Québec's INESSS, to understand, describe, and to analyze factors shaping methodological choices andthe decision-making process of a HTA agency.
Landing policies and practices for access to medicines at dizzying prices
Session 1 Wednesday 17 July, 2024, -