This book explores topics of importance to all who have an interest in economic methods for
assessment of the efficacy and effectiveness of new cancer treatments and in regulatory
measures relating to their marketing authorization and pricing. Targeted therapies and modern
immunotherapy are placing a substantial strain on health care budgets. Regulation and economic
methods to assess the parameters for establishing efficacy and effectiveness are therefore of
prime importance. Payer authorities have to determine whether the use of these novel therapies
yields clinical benefits that justify their increasing cost. In the simplest terms
cost-effectiveness analyses quantify the ratio between the extent to which an intervention
raises healthcare costs and the extent to which it improves health outcomes. Rigorous
cost-effectiveness analyses translate all health outcomes into quality-adjusted life years. On
the other hand in order to sustain innovation price regulations must be coupled with efforts
to ensure that drug companies are still able to recoup their investments in high-risk and
high-costs research programs. Ultimately decisions regarding health care expenditures are also
a question of society¿s willingness to pay.
