New Report Highlights Need for Long Term View to Improve Cancer Care

Beerse, Belgium (ots/PRNewswire) -

-- Addressing chronic diseases key to sustainable healthcare
reform in Europe

Janssen Pharmaceutica NV (Janssen) has commissioned a new report
based on independent research by The Swedish Institute of Health
Economics[1] presented alongside the 2014 EU Summit on Chronic
Diseases in Brussels today. The 'Access to high-quality oncology care
across Europe' report, states that for some cancer types, a shift
from what was once a deadly disease to a more chronic disease is
underway.[1] In light of this, outcome measures such as patient
quality of life are becoming more important and there is a greater
focus on ongoing contribution into work and society - both because of
what it means for the patient and for the economy in these times of
austerity.[1] The report cited advances in treatment and the
availability of high-quality cancer care as key drivers for improved
survival rates and better patient outcomes over the long-term.[1]

The report reveals significant inequalities in access to cancer
care across Europe and provides recommendations for breaking down
barriers and improving access to quality cancer care. Based on a
review of colorectal, lung and prostate cancer care in France,
Germany, Poland and Sweden, the report identifies key areas for
improving outcomes across the cancer patient pathway including
primary prevention measures, diagnostics and treatment.

Although cancer treatment is commonly perceived to be one of the
greatest financial drains on healthcare systems, the research
uncovered that the introduction of newer and more effective cancer
drugs does not actually increase total cancer-related direct costs,
especially over the long-term.[1] Furthermore, more effective drugs
actually lower medical costs through decreasing demand for other
services, such as in-patient care and that cancer related indirect
costs decrease due to increased survival and decreased mortality.[1]
The research also showed that pharmaceutical expenditure as a total
of health expenditures did not actually increase in any of the four
countries between 2003 and 2011, calling into question the belief
that pharmaceuticals are the main cost driver of increasing
healthcare expenditures.[1]

Further to this, the report references the significant innovation
that has been seen within cancer care specifically, over recent
years. This refers not only to improved clinical outcomes through
breakthrough treatments, but also what it means for the patients and
their families in terms of earlier and more accurate diagnosis and
enhanced quality of life, such as reduced hospital stays.

Bengt Jonsson, Department of Economics, Stockholm School of
Economics, co-author and speaking today on the report, was quoted
saying, "In the face of austerity cuts and rising healthcare
expenditures, a more sustainable approach to cancer care is
fundamental for better patient outcomes. Despite the value of new
treatments, our research showed significant inequalities in access to
cancer drugs across the four countries studied. France has the
quickest and most extensive uptake of new cancer drugs followed by
Germany, while here in Sweden we are falling behind Germany and
France. Poland meanwhile, falls significantly behind all three."

Cancer is still the second leading cause of death in the EU and
responsible for approximately 1.3 million of all 5 million deaths in
the region per year.[2],[3] In addition, the 2.7 million[2] newly
diagnosed cases per year show that the disease burden of cancer is
still weighing heavily on societies in the EU. The European
Commission has long recognised the burden of cancer, and the 'Access
to high-quality oncology care across Europe' report is a pro-active
step in helping to further explore current cancer care access
challenges, and puts forward a recommended framework for the
development of policies to establish a high and sustainable standard
of oncology care across Europe.

"A multi-stakeholder and evidence-based policy dialogue is
fundamental to achieving sustainable health system reform," said Jane
Griffiths, Company Group Chairman, Janssen EMEA, also speaking today
on the report. She continued, "Janssen takes pride in delivering
innovation which can make a real difference to cancer patients. We
are driven by our commitment to addressing areas of high unmet need
and providing solutions that make a difference to patients' lives and
benefit society."

The report concludes that the main challenge for health policy is
to ensure equal access to the best possible care for all cancer
patients. It goes on to say that efficiency in the use of resources
will be key drivers in achieving this.

Six specific policy recommendations have been identified from the
analysis:[1]

1) Cost-effective allocation of resources is pivotal for a more accessible
and sustainable oncology care system.
2) Improved funding and resourcing, for example the availability of high-quality
treatment facilities and the geographical spread of such facilities to encourage
patients to seek care.
3) Incentivisation of innovative research, including the design of reimbursement
systems, reward of innovations in cancer care, and the development of new payment
schemes.
4) A better integrated and organised cancer care system, to help avoid
bottlenecks and ensure timely management of patients.
5) Collation of data on resource use and outcomes to monitor standards and
regional differences, and to plan the allocation of resources.
6) More recognition of quality of life as an outcome measure for the individual
and society.

#ENDS#

Notes to Editors

Additional report information

Country strategies

- All countries included in the report adopted a national cancer plan during
the last decade.[1]
- All countries have cancer registries, but very different degrees of
completeness and scope. Sweden has the most comprehensive registries whereas France
monitors its cancer patients less thoroughly with a system of regional registries that
only covers around 20% of the population.[1]
- In all countries but Germany the whole or almost the whole population is
covered by public health insurance. Statutory Health Insurance Funds cover about 90%
of the population in Germany and the remaining part of the population has private
health insurance.[4]

Reimbursement

- In recent years, significant changes in the regulative procedures for
reimbursement and pricing of pharmaceuticals have occurred in all countries included
within the report but Sweden. In France and especially in Germany, the main reason for
these changes was cost containment of pharmaceutical expenditures.[1]
- Germany was the last of the four countries to introduce a mandatory assessment
of all new pharmaceuticals claiming public funding in 2011. It is also the only
country where the therapeutic relevance of pharmaceuticals (additional benefit claimed
over the appropriate comparator when a new product is launched or authorised for new
indications) is the main criterion used to inform the reimbursement decision.[1],[5]
- The "high" cost of cancer drugs has already led to substantial changes in the
reimbursement policy in Germany in 2011 and in France in 2013. However, the share of
the pharmaceutical expenditures on total health expenditures did not increase in any
of the four countries between 2003 and 2011.[1]

Cancer costs

- Cancer corresponds to around 16% of the total health burden of all disease
and illnesses in the EU.[1]
- The share of cancer-related direct costs on total health care expenditures
ranges from 5% in Poland to 7.3% in Sweden; however, purchasing power adjusted
per-capita spending on cancer is around four times higher in Sweden, Germany and
France than in Poland.[1]
- The share of cancer-related indirect costs on total costs is around 60% in the
EU but differs greatly between cancer types.[6]
- Lung cancer accounts for around 15% of the total direct and indirect cost of
cancer in the EU, colorectal cancer for 10% and prostate cancer for 7%.[6]
- Cancer also accounts for more than 10 million DALYs (disability-adjusted life
years) lost in the European Union. This corresponds to a share of around 16% of the
total health burden of all diseases and illnesses.[7]
- The cancer disease burden does not exhibit a uniform pattern across all cancer
types.[1]

About the report

The "Access to high-quality oncology care across Europe" report
[http://www.ihe.se/access-to-high-quality-oncology.aspx ] was
commissioned by Janssen Pharmaceutica NV and based on independent
research delivered by The Swedish Institute of Health Economics
(IHE). Janssen has no editorial control over the content of the
document, and the views and opinions of the authors are not
necessarily those of Janssen.

Additional information about the report can be found on the
Janssen Health Policy Center
http://www.janssen-emea.com/healthpolicycenter.

About Janssen

Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson and Johnson are
dedicated to addressing and solving the most important unmet medical
needs of our time, including oncology (e.g. multiple myeloma and
prostate cancer), immunology (e.g. psoriasis), neuroscience (e.g.
schizophrenia, dementia and pain), infectious disease (e.g. HIV/AIDS,
hepatitis C and tuberculosis), and cardiovascular and metabolic
diseases (e.g. diabetes). Driven by our commitment to patients, we
develop sustainable, integrated healthcare solutions by working
side-by-side with healthcare stakeholders, based on partnerships of
trust and transparency. More information can be found on
http://www.janssen-emea.com. Follow us on
http://www.twitter.com/janssenEMEA for our latest news.

Janssen in Oncology

In oncology, our goal is to fundamentally alter the way cancer is
understood, diagnosed, and managed, reinforcing our commitment to the
patients who inspire us. In looking to find innovative ways to
address the cancer challenge, our primary efforts focus on several
treatment and prevention solutions. These include a focus on
haematologic malignancies, prostate cancer and lung cancer; cancer
interception with the goal of developing products that interrupt the
carcinogenic process; biomarkers that may help guide targeted,
individualised use of our therapies; as well as safe and effective
identification and treatment of early changes in the tumour
microenvironment.

About The Swedish Institute of Health Economics

IHE is a well-established and independent research institute
specialised in health economic analysis. It provides high quality
research and expert consulting within the health care field. IHE
contributes to well-founded decision-making in healthcare by bridging
the gap between academia, industry and health care providers. IHE is
based in Lund, Sweden, and is part of the dynamic Medicon Village
area. IHE has been a pioneer in health economic research in Sweden
since 1979 and has a strong academic profile with close ties to Lund
University.

References

1) Hofmarcher T, Jönsson B, Wilking N. Access to high-quality oncology care
across Europe. Lund: Swedish Institute for Health Economics, 2014. Available at:
http://www.ihe.se/access-to-high-quality-oncology.aspx (accessed Apr 3, 2014).
2) Ferlay J, Steliarova-Foucher E, Lortet-Tieulent J, Rosso S, Coebergh JWW,
Comber H, Forman D, Bray F. Cancer incidence and mortality patterns in Europe:
estimates for 40 countries in 2012. Eur J Cancer.2013;49:1374-403.
3) Eurostat. EU28 population 505.7 million at 1 January 2013. Press release 20
November 2013. Available at:
http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_PUBLIC/3-20112013-AP/EN/3-20112013-AP-EN.PDF
(accessed Mar 31, 2014).
4) Krankenkassen. 2013. Available at:
http://www.krankenkassen.de/gesetzliche-krankenkassen/system-gesetzlichekrankenversich
erung/fusionen/
[http://www.krankenkassen.de/gesetzliche-krankenkassen/system-gesetzlichekrankenversicherung/fusionen ]
(accessed March 21, 2014).
5) Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss (G-BA). The benefit assessment of pharmaceuticals
in accordance with the German Social Code, Book Five (SGB V), section 35a. Available
at: http://www.english.g-ba.de/benefitassessment/information/
[http://www.english.g-ba.de/benefitassessment/information ] (accessed March 21,
2014).
6) Luengo-Fernandez R, Leal J, Gray A, Sullivan R. Economic burden of
cancer across the European Union: a population-based cost analysis. Lancet
Oncol.2013;14:1165-74.
7) World Health Organization. Mortality and burden of disease estimates for WHO
member states in 2004: DALY 2004. Available at:
http://www.who.int/healthinfo/global_burden_disease/gbddeathdalycountryestimates2004.xls
(accessed March 12, 2014).

ots Originaltext: Janssen Pharmaceutica
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

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