The algorithm assessing the value of new anticancer drugs — the proposal of the Polish Society of Clinical Oncology and Polish Oncological Society

Abstract

Rapid development of new medical technologies and inability of their full financing by a public payer necessitates searching for solutions identifying most valuable methods. This issue is particularly relevant in relation to anticancer drugs. Competent authorities (Ministry of Health, National Health Fund, Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Pricing) in Poland often use expert opinions in decision making process regarding new anticancer drugs. In order to make this process more objective, the experts from the Polish Society of Clinical Oncology and Polish Oncological Society — based on the systems used in the United Kingdom and Switzerland — developed an algorithm that quantifies the key aspects of the efficacy, safety, quality of evidence and cost-effectiveness. Based on these criteria a new anticancer compound is qualified into one of five categories considering its the added value in relation to current reimbursed standard practice.