2 May 2016 - The cost of treating cancer has risen to unprecedented heights, putting tremendous financial pressure on patients, payers, and society.

Previous studies have documented the rising prices of cancer drugs at launch, but less critical attention has been paid to the cost of these drugs after launch.

Certain market changes also played a role, with prices rising an additional 10% with each supplemental indication approved by the FDA and declining 2% with the FDA’s approval of a competitor drug.

Policy makers who wish to reduce the costs of anti-cancer drugs should consider implementing policies that affect prices not only at launch but also later.

For more details, go to: http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/35/5/805.abstract?etoc