Insurers and 'targeted biologics' for cancer: a conversation with Lee N. Newcomer. Interview by Barbara J. Culliton.
New drugs for cancer, targeted at the specific genetic profile of various tumors, are revolutionizing cancer therapy, but at a very high cost. Most carry a price tag of $50,000 or more per patient per year. Lee Newcomer examines the medical and policy issues from his perspective at United Healthcare and from his experience as an oncologist. In this interview, Newcomer suggests that all patients receiving the targeted biologics be required to participate in a clinical trial or an insurance company registry so that data can be collected to assure that the right drugs are prescribed for the right patients.
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D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000191:economics; D006291:Health Policy / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000191:economics* / Q000639:trends; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D014481:United States