Hospitals Prepare for New Cancer Treatment

Achieving CAR T-cell therapy health system readiness is essential for improving patient access to this innovative cancer treatment. The IQVIA Institute report highlights discrepancies in healthcare system readiness to deliver CAR T-cell therapies across seven countries, including France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the UK, Canada, and Australia.

The report identifies several factors contributing to the disparities in CAR T-cell therapy access across countries. One of the most striking findings was the variation in utilisation rates across different countries, with some as low as 11% for eligible patients.

The fact that some countries are only treating a small fraction of eligible patients suggests that there are substantial barriers to access that need to be addressed urgently. The report highlights three main barriers to CAR T-cell therapy access: unclear or underutilised referral pathways, limited treatment centre capacity, and the lack of national strategies.

Referral pathways are often unclear or underutilised, with many physicians unaware of how to refer eligible patients. In Spain, for example, 61% of physicians cited delays between referral and treatment as a challenge.

Treatment centre capacity is limited in most countries studied, making it difficult to meet patient demand.

The implications of the barriers identified in the report are serious and far-reaching. These barriers can lead to delays in treatment and may reduce the chances of a successful outcome due to disease progression.

Delays in referral and treatment initiation, driven by factors like capacity constraints and reimbursement hurdles, can lead to disease progression and reduced eligibility which can impact survival.

Ultimately, these barriers contribute to inequitable access to CAR T-cell therapy. Addressing these barriers will require a range of efforts, including streamlining referral pathways, increasing treatment centre capacity, and developing national strategies.

By taking a cautious and measured approach, healthcare systems can work to improve access to CAR T-cell therapy and ensure that eligible patients receive this potentially life-saving treatment.

The report outlines several potential solutions that could help to improve access to CAR T-cell therapy. One key recommendation is streamlining referral pathways to help physicians more easily identify and refer eligible patients.

It also highlights the need for national strategies that include clear goals, timelines, and performance metrics to guide CAR T-cell therapy implementation. Regular monitoring of access and utilisation is another key recommendation.

Developing plans to regularly monitor progress and timely access to CAR T-cell therapy is essential. Long-term assessment and monitoring are required to address low utilisation rates across countries.

Healthcare authorities and policymakers have a critical role to play in ensuring equitable access to CAR T-cell therapy. Policymakers can set policies and regulations that promote access, allocate resources to support treatment centres, and develop strategies to address the barriers identified in the report.

The IQVIA Institute suggests that policymakers can learn from existing initiatives, such as personalised healthcare approaches, to improve cancer care.

By working together, healthcare systems can improve access to this innovative treatment and help patients receive the care they need. The IQVIA Institute report is available online, providing more information on the findings and recommendations for improving access to CAR T-cell therapy.