Publicaciones científicas

Access to systemic treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer in Spain: a survey analysis

01-jul-2024 | Revista: Clinical & Translational Oncology

Pablo Cerezuela-Fuentes  1 , Maria Gonzalez-Cao  2 , Teresa Puertolas  3 , Jose Luis Manzano  4 , Cayetana Maldonado  5 , Oriol Yelamos  6 , Miguel A Berciano-Guerrero  7 , Juan Martin-Liberal  8 , Eva Muñoz-Couselo  9 , Enrique Espinosa  10   11 , Ana Drozdowskyj  1 , Alfonso Berrocal  12 , Ainara Soria  13 , Ivan Marquez-Rodas  14 , Salvador Martin-Algarra  15 , Maria Quindos  16 , Susana Puig  17   18 ; Spanish Melanoma Group (GEM)


Background: Novel and highly effective drugs for non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) improve patient outcomes, but their high cost strains healthcare systems. Spain's decentralized public health system, managed by 17 autonomous communities (AaCc), raises concerns about equitable access.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey (July-September 2023) was sent to Spanish Multidisciplinary Melanoma Group (GEM Group) members to assess access to new drugs.

Findings: Fifty physicians from 15 Spanish AaCc responded to the survey. Access for drug with approved public reimbursement, Hedgehog inhibitors in basal-cell carcinoma and anti PD-L1 antibody in Merkel carcinoma, was observed in 84% and 86% of centers, respectively. For other EMA-approved treatments, but without reimbursement in Spain access decreased to 78% of centers. Heterogeneity in access was mainly observed intra regions.

Conclusion: Unequal financial support for drugs for NMSC with creates a patchwork of access across Spanish hospitals, with variations even within the same AaCc.

CITA DEL ARTÍCULO  Clin Transl Oncol. 2024 Jul 1. doi: 10.1007/s12094-024-03583-5