OBJECTIVES: To implement a database that summarizes drug assessments information from Spain and includes recommendations on the use of these drugs in a specific therapeutic area.

METHODS: This database reviews the national therapeutic positioning reports and the drug assessments from primary healthcare centres and hospitals for different diseases. Efficacy, safety and economic information of these drugs were included and analyzed in order to position a new medicine within a specific therapeutic area. Current treatment algorithms were also evaluated according to clinical guidelines. As an example, a drug review was conducted to determine the current point of the management of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and the benefit of new therapeutic interventions in elderly patients.

RESULTS: Azacitidine and decitabine are two hypomethylating agents that demonstrated to extend survival, control disease progression and improve quality of life of elderly patients or in a poor health state. Recommendations on patient characteristics and treatment options were also provided, as well as criteria for treatment interruption. Future assessments should be based on direct comparison of both drugs and more compelling evidence is being required to determine the optimal duration of the treatment with decitabine.

CONCLUSIONS: This database on drug reviews has demonstrated to be a robust tool to assess the efficacy and safety measures of new drugs, including recommendations on crucial aspects for future drug assessments that can optimize the market access of a new drug.