ANALYSIS OF METASTATIC BREAST CANCER POLICIES TO ADVANCE ACCESS TO TREATMENT IN LATIN AMERICA- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND APPROACHES USED TO SURVEY THE CURRENT POLICY ENVIRONMENT
Author(s)
Dharssi S, Thrift Perry M
Pfizer, Inc, New York, NY, USA
OBJECTIVES:: The oncology policy landscape in Latin America is rapidly evolving, evidenced by the increased awareness, development, prioritization of National Cancer Control Plans (NCCPs) and public health policies. While multi-stakeholder efforts have helped to address the needs of early breast cancer patients, there is currently limited policy engagement to address metastatic breast cancer (mBC) patient care and treatment challenges. The growing burden of breast cancer, many of which are detected at later stages in Latin America, necessitates that countries prioritize and implement effective policies that address this ongoing urgent public health issue. Therefore, this research aims to increase the understanding of the mBC policy landscape in Latin America and identify opportunities to improve patient access to care and treatment. METHODS:: To evaluate the current policy environment across the mBC care continuum, a comprehensive analysis of existing NCCPs and public health policies/programs was conducted in three countries in the Latin America region: Brazil, Mexico and Chile. To identify key needs and best practices in mBC treatment and care policy, specific standardized criteria were evaluated at each stage of the mBC patient care continuum agnostic of geography. Criteria were rated based on the level of policy development and informed by regional stakeholder insights. Countries were then segmented based on government engagement, policy development, and NGO activity across the care continuum. Importantly, this characterization of countries strives to improve mBC policy implementation through the application of the findings to countries not included in the original analysis. RESULTS:: Findings reveal striking country discrepancies in mBC policy implementation and healthcare access, as well as, select best practices already in place. CONCLUSIONS:: This study provides an opportunity to advance the mBC policy conversation in Latin America and present impactful recommendations for mBC-specific program development in an effort to improve patient care and access to treatment.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2017-09, ISPOR Latin America 2017, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Value in Health, Vol. 20, No. 9 (October 2017)
Code
PCN45
Topic
Health Policy & Regulatory, Health Service Delivery & Process of Care
Topic Subcategory
Health Care Research, Pricing Policy & Schemes, Quality of Care Measurement
Disease
Oncology, Reproductive and Sexual Health