U.S. cancer drug prices frequently rise faster than the inflation rate, while prices for the same drugs often decrease on inflation-adjusted terms in three wealthy European countries, according to research published July 1 in JAMA Oncology.
Researchers studied the prices of 47 solid tumor drugs and 18 blood cancer drugs from 2009-2019. Prices were substantially higher upon entrance into the U.S. market than they were when entering the markets in England, Germany and Switzerland. Most U.S. prices continued to rise faster than the inflation rate over the next decade, while many of the prices in England, Germany and Switzerland actually decreased after adjusting for inflation.
Across the U.S., England, Germany and Switzerland, they found no association between launch prices, postlaunch price changes and clinical benefit of cancer drugs.
In all four countries, the lowest median monthly treatment costs at launch were higher in 2018-2019 compared to 2009-2010. Here are the 2018-2019 prices and 2009-2010 prices in each country:
- U.S.: $14,580 vs. $5,790
- England: $6,867 vs. $3,939
- Switzerland: $6,593 vs. $5,784
- Germany: $5,888 vs. $4,289