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Original Research

The ESMO-Magnitude of Clinical Benefit Scale for novel oncology drugs: correspondence with three years of reimbursement decisions in Israel

, , , &
Pages 119-122 | Received 10 May 2017, Accepted 13 Jun 2017, Published online: 21 Jun 2017
 

ABSTRACT

Background: The European Society for Medical Oncology published in 2015 its Magnitude of Clinical Benefit Scale (ESMO-MCBS) for cancer medicines. Our objective was to evaluate the association between Israel’s national reimbursement decisions regarding novel cancer drugs, prior to the availability of ESMO-MCBS, and the later published ESMO-MCBS scores.

Research design and methods: ESMO-MCBS scores were obtained retrospectively for the cancer drugs that were candidates for reimbursement in Israel in 2013–2015 and were categorized to ‘highest benefit’ (ESMO-MCBS 4–5 or A) ‘medium benefit’ (3 or B) and ‘lowest benefit’ (0–2 or C). The reimbursement decisions were accessed and compared with the categorized ESMO scores.

Results: ESMO-MCBS score was available for 19/22 drugs approved for reimbursement and 15/16 non-approved drugs. 58% of the approved drugs gained a ‘highest benefit’ score and 37% were ‘medium benefit’. 87% of the non-approved drugs had ‘lowest benefit’ scores. Median score for approved drugs was 4 vs. 1 for the non-approved (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: The Israeli decisions regarding reimbursement of novel cancer drugs, demonstrated concordance with ESMO-MCBS scores. Incorporation of ESMO-MCBS data in reimbursement deliberations could assist in framing the appropriate use of the limited resources to deliver effective and affordable cancer care.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

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