[Which medico-economic approaches must be taken to evaluate the impact of costly molecules in oncology? The model of Herceptin in the breast metastatic cancer]

Bull Cancer. 2003 Nov;90(11):955-60.
[Article in French]

Abstract

In an era where health care expenditure control is a necessity, weighing a new treatment's cost against its added benefits is of crucial importance. These medico-economic analyses may be planned for the evaluation of new molecules in their daily use. Different methods may be used. The medico-economic evaluation of a drug can be performed with the use of clinical studies or modelization techniques. "Clinical studies" include the following methods: randomized trials, so-called "experimental", non-randomized studies, and observational studies. This classification follows a downward evolution of both the investigator's intervention power and the level of proof. Finally, modelization is becoming a commonly used tool. Randomized trials are the "gold standard" but the other, more pragmatic study types, providing a lesser degree of proof can complete the evaluation of a new molecule. One must find the best compromise between the study's objectives and the study type.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / economics
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antineoplastic Agents / economics
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / economics
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Decision Support Techniques*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Technology Assessment, Biomedical / methods
  • Trastuzumab

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Trastuzumab