Richard L. Schilsky, MD

“This study shows us that it is possible to get equally good outcomes with lower costs. In the United States, we have no real way to constrain the costs of health care, including the cost of drugs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not consider drug price in deliberations about bringing drugs to market. Once a drug is on the market, Medicare is required to pay for it, and private insurers follow suit. There is no way to put brakes on the system,” stated ASCO Chief Medical Officer Richard L. Schilsky, MD. 

“In other parts of the world, there are agencies that conduct value assessments to determine whether the health-care system can afford the costs of a treatment,” he continued. “This study shows a patient can get treatment regimens in Canada at half the cost without compromising outcome.” ■

DISCLOSURE: Dr. Schilsky reported no conflicts of interest.