Report presented to ensure efficient drug supply in oncology

19.01.2011 10:33

Today, the Secretary of State in the Federal Ministry of Health, Stefan Kapferer, accepted the expert report entitled "Ensuring efficient drug supply in oncology". The Federal Ministry of Health commissioned the report as part of the National Cancer Plan. The report was prepared by Professors Gerd Glaeske, Eberhard Wille, Klaus Höffken, Wolf-Dieter Ludwig, Matthias Schrappe and Lothar Weißbach.

State Secretary Stefan Kapferer said when handing over the report: “The report offers a good overview of developments in the field of oncological drug therapy and is an important basis for discussion for further work in the National Cancer Plan. I would like to thank the reviewers for their constructive and critical contribution to this difficult and controversial topic. I am sure that the report will provide important impetus for the further design of oncological drug supply.”

The report presents the “life cycle” of a cancer drug from development, approval to supply and examines it from medical, drug law, social law and economic aspects. On this basis, measures are proposed to ensure efficient and evidence-based drug supply in oncology, in particular to finance high-priced oncological drugs, to research the benefits in everyday care and to ensure neutral information transfer. The recommendations of the report are aimed at various actors at national and European level. The report is made available to the steering group of the National Cancer Plan as a working basis. Numerous institutions and organizations relevant to cancer care as well as the Federal Ministry of Health are represented in the steering group. The National Cancer Plan was initiated on June 16, 2008 by the Federal Ministry of Health together with the German Cancer Society, German Cancer Aid and the Association of German Tumor Centers.

The aim of the action plan is to improve the fight against cancer through effective, targeted and coordinated action by all those responsible as part of a long-term coordination and cooperation program. In addition to ensuring efficient oncological treatment, the focus of the National Cancer Plan is on further developing early cancer detection and oncological care structures and their quality assurance as well as strengthening patient orientation.

The report is posted on the BMG website (www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de). There you will also find information about the National Cancer Plan.