Value-based care is getting more attention in lung cancer thanks to two new programs offering significant rebates or full refunds should the therapeutic agent be ineffective or intolerable. Pfizer’s pilot project, a U.S.-based program that runs through the end of the year, covers the cost of Xalkori (crizotinib) paid by the patient, Medicare, or private insurer if the therapy fails to be effective or is discontinued due to intolerance within the first 3 months. The warranty program, known as the Pfizer Pledge, is separate from other financial assistance programs the company offers.
A second similar program has been initiated between Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Point32Health, the second largest health plan in New England. Takeda will provide Point32Health a “significant rebate” if a patient discontinues use of Alunbrig (brigatinib) within the first 3 months of treatment. The list price for 1 month of Alunbrig is $17,000.
The emergence of these value-based programs in lung cancer reflect the competitiveness of the lung cancer therapeutics market and are an effort to deal with high drug prices, which have been an increasing focus of legislators on the national political stage. These programs also hope to provide real-world data regarding efficacy and quality of life outside of clinical trials.
