Recent Findings in Cancer Described by Researchers from Chulalongkorn University (Access to precision medicine in Thailand: a comparative study): Cancer

2022 OCT 17 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at CDC & FDA Daily -- Investigators publish new report on cancer. According to news reporting out of Bangkok, Thailand, by NewsRx editors, research stated, “Purpose - This study explored health insurance coverage of genetic testing and potential factors associated with precision medicine (PM) reimbursement in Thailand. Design/methodology/approach - The study employed a targeted review method.”

Our news reporters obtained a quote from the research from Chulalongkorn University: “Thirteen PMs were selected to represent four PM categories: targeted cancer therapy candidate, prediction of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), dose adjustment and cancer risk prediction. Content analysis was performed to compare access to PMs among three health insurance schemes in Thailand. The primary outcome of the study was evaluating PM test reimbursement status. Secondary outcomes included clinical practice guidelines, PMs statement in FDA-approved leaflet and economic evaluation. Findings - Civil Servant Medical Benefits Scheme (CSMBS) provided more generous access to PM than Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) and Social Security Scheme (SSS). Evidence of economic evaluations likely impacted the reimbursement decisions of SSS and UCS, while the information provided in FDA-approved leaflets seemed to impact the reimbursement decisions of CSMBS. Three health insurance schemes provided adequate access to PM tests for some cancer-targeted therapies, while gaps existed for access to PM tests for serious ADRs prevention, dose adjustment and cancer risk prediction. Originality/value - This was the first study to explore the situation of access to PMs in Thailand.”

According to the news editors, the research concluded: “The evidence alerts public health insurance schemes to reconsider access to PMs. Development of health technology assessment guidelines for PM test reimbursement decisions should be prioritized.”

For more information on this research see: Access to precision medicine in Thailand: a comparative study. Journal of Health Research, 2022,36(2):275-288. (Journal of Health Research - http://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/services/publishing/jhr/index.htm). The publisher for Journal of Health Research is Emerald Publishing.

A free version of this journal article is available at https://doi.org/10.1108/JHR-04-2020-0106.

Our news journalists report that more information may be obtained by contacting Nisita Jirawutkornkul, Department of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. Additional authors for this research include Chanthawat Patikorn, Puree Anantachoti.

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