Implementation of Country-Wide Pharmacoeconomic Principles in Cancer Care in Developing Countries: Expert-Based Recommendations

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer care is a major challenge to health care and for optimal outcomes, health systems need to align policy across many areas of public life. The recognition that even the wealthiest nations can fail optimum outcomes indicates a need for increased efficiency in cancer control programs. Fundamental to this is the efficient direction of resources––a process that can be optimized through economic measures. This article contains expert recommendations on how decision makers can implement pharmacoeconomic principles at national level in developing countries. Methods: A multidisciplinary panel of 10 experts was formed of oncologists, clinical pharmacists, health economists, and chronic disease control and public health experts from different countries and health-care sectors. The panel developed consensus recommendations for different stakeholders using a framework analysis method. Results: Recommendations were categorized as national level, hospital level, industry level, and public-community level to support decision makers in implementing pharmacoeconomic principles in a systematic way. The recommendations included having proper well-structured, data-driven processes with a specific role for each stakeholder. We proposed required structures and processes in such a way that they can be customized based on individual country plans. Conclusion: The expert panel recommendations will serve as a guide to relevant stakeholders at a national level. Adaptation of these recommendations to each setting is important to accommodate the situation and needs of each country.

Keywords

• cancer care
• cost of cancer care
• health economics
• pharmacoeconomics