The median monthly costs of cancer drugs at launch were higher in the United States than in Germany, Switzerland, or England. After launch, the United States was the only one of the four in which the median price continued to increase over time.

Researchers analyzed the monthly costs for 65 cancer drugs approved by the FDA, the European Medicines Agency, and Swissmedic between 2009 and 2019 (JAMA Oncol 2021 Jul 1 [Epub ahead of print]). The median monthly costs at launch were higher in the United States than in Germany, Switzerland, or England (left). Between 2009–2010 and 2018–2019, the lowest monthly costs at launch increased in all four countries, but the increase was most pronounced in the United States (center). After launch, the United States was the only one of the four in which the median price continued to increase over time (right). A separate analysis revealed no relationship between cost and clinical benefit.
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Researchers analyzed the monthly costs for 65 cancer drugs approved by the FDA, the European Medicines Agency, and Swissmedic between 2009 and 2019 (JAMA Oncol 2021 Jul 1 [Epub ahead of print]). The median monthly costs at launch were higher in the United States than in Germany, Switzerland, or England (left). Between 2009–2010 and 2018–2019, the lowest monthly costs at launch increased in all four countries, but the increase was most pronounced in the United States (center). After launch, the United States was the only one of the four in which the median price continued to increase over time (right). A separate analysis revealed no relationship between cost and clinical benefit.

Researchers analyzed the monthly costs for 65 cancer drugs approved by the FDA, the European Medicines Agency, and Swissmedic between 2009 and 2019 (JAMA Oncol 2021 Jul 1 [Epub ahead of print]). The median monthly costs at launch were higher in the United States than in Germany, Switzerland, or England (left). Between 2009–2010 and 2018–2019, the lowest monthly costs at launch increased in all four countries, but the increase was most pronounced in the United States (center). After launch, the United States was the only one of the four in which the median price continued to increase over time (right). A separate analysis revealed no relationship between cost and clinical benefit.
View largeDownload slide

Researchers analyzed the monthly costs for 65 cancer drugs approved by the FDA, the European Medicines Agency, and Swissmedic between 2009 and 2019 (JAMA Oncol 2021 Jul 1 [Epub ahead of print]). The median monthly costs at launch were higher in the United States than in Germany, Switzerland, or England (left). Between 2009–2010 and 2018–2019, the lowest monthly costs at launch increased in all four countries, but the increase was most pronounced in the United States (center). After launch, the United States was the only one of the four in which the median price continued to increase over time (right). A separate analysis revealed no relationship between cost and clinical benefit.

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©2021 American Association for Cancer Research.
2021
American Association for Cancer Research.