POPULATION-LEVEL BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS OF INCREASED UPTAKE OF NEXT-GENERATION SEQUENCING TO SUPPORT TREATMENT OF ADVANCED NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER: A MULTI-COUNTRY ANALYSIS IN THE APAC REGION
Author(s)
Neda Aminnejad, PhD1, Rameet Sachdev, MPH2, Corrina Mau, MPH1, Weicheng Ye, MPH2, Thitima Kongnakorn, PhD3, Matthew Stargardter, PhD2.
1Thermo Fisher Scientific, Toronto, ON, Canada, 2Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA, 3Thermo Fisher Scientific, Bangkok, Thailand.
1Thermo Fisher Scientific, Toronto, ON, Canada, 2Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA, 3Thermo Fisher Scientific, Bangkok, Thailand.
OBJECTIVES: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) can enhance the efficiency of molecular testing in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) by assessing multiple biomarkers concurrently. Focusing narrowly on molecular testing, the budgetary impact of NGS uptake may depend on disease incidence, testing pathways, reimbursement policies, and patient cost-sharing. This study projected the financial implications of increased NGS uptake among aNSCLC patients across selected Asia-Pacific (APAC) countries.
METHODS: We estimated molecular testing expenditures for incident aNSCLC patients from Australian, Chinese (Fujian Province), Japanese, and South Korean healthcare payer perspectives over 5 years, comparing scenarios where uptake of NGS increased proportionally with the tested population or was universally (100%) administered. Epidemiological inputs were derived from published literature. Testing pathways were informed by local clinical guidelines. Costing inputs were drawn from country-specific official reimbursement schedules and other public sources.
RESULTS: Between 2026 and 2030, the number of aNSCLC patients receiving molecular testing ranged from 9,466-10,718 in South Korea; 5,797-7,459 in Australia; 48,563-48,219 in Japan; and 19,315-20,496 in China. For South Korea and Australia, universal NGS uptake is predicted to result in a cost-saving of USD 5.41 million and USD 423,403 respectively; by contrast, it was predicted to increase costs by USD 47.42 million and USD 235,947 for Japanese and Chinese healthcare payers, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: The financial impact of universal NGS uptake was predicted to vary by jurisdiction, generating cost savings for some payers (South Korea and Australia) and additional expenditures for others (Japan and China). These differences were driven by variation in the distribution of NGS between small and comprehensive genomic panels, incident aNSCLC cases, testing pathways, unit costs, and policies around patient cost-sharing. Future research should consider additional cost categories influenced by increased NGS uptake (e.g., offsets from fewer biopsies and/or delivery of more efficacious care) and to encompass a broader range of APAC nations.
METHODS: We estimated molecular testing expenditures for incident aNSCLC patients from Australian, Chinese (Fujian Province), Japanese, and South Korean healthcare payer perspectives over 5 years, comparing scenarios where uptake of NGS increased proportionally with the tested population or was universally (100%) administered. Epidemiological inputs were derived from published literature. Testing pathways were informed by local clinical guidelines. Costing inputs were drawn from country-specific official reimbursement schedules and other public sources.
RESULTS: Between 2026 and 2030, the number of aNSCLC patients receiving molecular testing ranged from 9,466-10,718 in South Korea; 5,797-7,459 in Australia; 48,563-48,219 in Japan; and 19,315-20,496 in China. For South Korea and Australia, universal NGS uptake is predicted to result in a cost-saving of USD 5.41 million and USD 423,403 respectively; by contrast, it was predicted to increase costs by USD 47.42 million and USD 235,947 for Japanese and Chinese healthcare payers, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: The financial impact of universal NGS uptake was predicted to vary by jurisdiction, generating cost savings for some payers (South Korea and Australia) and additional expenditures for others (Japan and China). These differences were driven by variation in the distribution of NGS between small and comprehensive genomic panels, incident aNSCLC cases, testing pathways, unit costs, and policies around patient cost-sharing. Future research should consider additional cost categories influenced by increased NGS uptake (e.g., offsets from fewer biopsies and/or delivery of more efficacious care) and to encompass a broader range of APAC nations.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-09, ISPOR Asia Pacific 2026, Bangkok, Thailand
Value in Health, Volume 55, Issue S1
Code
EE63
Topic
Economic Evaluation
Topic Subcategory
Budget Impact Analysis
Disease
No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas, SDC: Oncology, STA: Personalized & Precision Medicine