Brazilian health-care policy for targeted oncology therapies and companion diagnostic testing

Summary A growing understanding of the molecular pathology of tumours combined with a surge of new drugs and associated diagnostic technologies (ie, precision medicine) has translated into substantial improvements in survival for patients with cancer. However, to achieve the promise that precision m...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:The lancet oncology 2016-08, Vol.17 (8), p.e363-e370
Main Authors: Ferreira, Carlos Gil, Dr, Achatz, Maria Isabel, MD, Ashton-Prolla, Patricia, MD, Begnami, Maria Dirlei, MD, Marchini, Fabricio K, PhD, Stefani, Stephen Doral, MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - therapeutic use
Delivery of Health Care - legislation & jurisprudence
Health Policy
Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine
Humans
Molecular Diagnostic Techniques - standards
Molecular Targeted Therapy - standards
Neoplasm Proteins - antagonists & inhibitors
Neoplasms - drug therapy
Neoplasms - metabolism
Neoplasms - pathology
Precision Medicine
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Summary A growing understanding of the molecular pathology of tumours combined with a surge of new drugs and associated diagnostic technologies (ie, precision medicine) has translated into substantial improvements in survival for patients with cancer. However, to achieve the promise that precision medicine has to offer will require overcoming hurdles within a national health-care system in which it is to be implemented. Brazil is one such nation, an emerging middle-income country with a very complex health-care system. To address the challenges associated with implementing precision medicine into a country such as Brazil, a group of experts convened (Nov 16–18, 2015, Miami) to discuss challenges related to precision medicine within an oncology setting. Complex regulatory hurdles, a shortage of human and technical resources, and the complexities of a two-tiered health-care delivery system were all identified as the main shortcomings to effectively implementing this new field of medicine. A path forward was proposed that relies on active collaboration between clinicians, private organisations, and government. It seems entirely possible that, despite many intrinsic economic and political problems, Brazil can readily emerge as a model for other countries in Latin America for the potential benefits of precision medicine and companion diagnostics.
ISSN:1470-2045
1474-5488
DOI:10.1016/S1470-2045(16)30171-1