TY - JOUR
T1 - Impact of use of oral anticancer drugs on activity of Italian oncology practices
T2 - Results of a survey conducted by the Italian Society of Medical Oncology (AIOM)
AU - Gori, Stefania
AU - Di Maio, Massimo
AU - Pinto, Carmine
AU - Alabiso, Oscar
AU - Baldini, Editta
AU - Barbato, Enrico
AU - Beretta, Giordano Domenico
AU - Bravi, Stefano
AU - Caffo, Orazio
AU - Canobbio, Luciano
AU - Carrozza, Francesco
AU - Cinieri, Saverio
AU - Cruciani, Giorgio
AU - Dinota, Angelo
AU - Gebbia, Vittorio
AU - Giustini, Lucio
AU - Graiff, Claudio
AU - Molino, Annamaria
AU - Muggiano, Antonio
AU - Pandoli, Giuliano
AU - Puglisi, Fabio
AU - Tagliaferri, Pierosandro
AU - Tomao, Silverio
AU - Lunardi, Gianluigi
AU - Venturini, Marco
PY - 2013/1
Y1 - 2013/1
N2 - Aims and background. In recent years, the number of oral anticancer drugs used in clinical practice has rapidly increased. The Italian Society of Medical Oncology (AIOM) conducted a survey to describe the impact of the use of oral anticancer drugs on the daily activity of Italian oncology practices. Methods and study design. A survey questionnaire was distributed to the coordinators of the regional sections of AIOM. A 6-month period was considered, from January 1, 2010 to June 30, 2010. The survey addressed (1) quantitative aspects of the use of oral anticancer drugs; (2) practical aspects in the management of patients treated with these drugs; (3) issues related to treatment costs and reimbursement procedures. Results. Thirty-six questionnaires were received from institutions distributed throughout the Italian territory. Oral anticancer drugs (both chemotherapy and molecularly targeted agents) accounted for a significant proportion (17%) of prescribed treatments. Among the responding institutions, there were different dispensation procedures of oral drugs to patients: drugs were dispensed by the pharmacist (57%) or directly by the medical oncologist (23%) or nurse (20%). The medical oncologist played a major role in the communication with patients (73% alone and a further 24% in cooperation with other professional figures) and was the point of reference in the event of side effects in 97% of cases. In most cases, the reimbursement of drug costs was separated ("File F" procedure) from the flat fare received by the hospital for outpatient visits or day-hospital access. Conclusions. Optimal organization of oral anticancer treatment warrants the cooperation and integration of multiple professional figures. At least three figures are involved in patient management in the hospital: the medical oncologist, the nurse, and the hospital pharmacist. Oral anticancer treatments are associated with specific reimbursement issues: in the majority of cases, the cost of the drug is reimbursed separately from the cost of patient access.
AB - Aims and background. In recent years, the number of oral anticancer drugs used in clinical practice has rapidly increased. The Italian Society of Medical Oncology (AIOM) conducted a survey to describe the impact of the use of oral anticancer drugs on the daily activity of Italian oncology practices. Methods and study design. A survey questionnaire was distributed to the coordinators of the regional sections of AIOM. A 6-month period was considered, from January 1, 2010 to June 30, 2010. The survey addressed (1) quantitative aspects of the use of oral anticancer drugs; (2) practical aspects in the management of patients treated with these drugs; (3) issues related to treatment costs and reimbursement procedures. Results. Thirty-six questionnaires were received from institutions distributed throughout the Italian territory. Oral anticancer drugs (both chemotherapy and molecularly targeted agents) accounted for a significant proportion (17%) of prescribed treatments. Among the responding institutions, there were different dispensation procedures of oral drugs to patients: drugs were dispensed by the pharmacist (57%) or directly by the medical oncologist (23%) or nurse (20%). The medical oncologist played a major role in the communication with patients (73% alone and a further 24% in cooperation with other professional figures) and was the point of reference in the event of side effects in 97% of cases. In most cases, the reimbursement of drug costs was separated ("File F" procedure) from the flat fare received by the hospital for outpatient visits or day-hospital access. Conclusions. Optimal organization of oral anticancer treatment warrants the cooperation and integration of multiple professional figures. At least three figures are involved in patient management in the hospital: the medical oncologist, the nurse, and the hospital pharmacist. Oral anticancer treatments are associated with specific reimbursement issues: in the majority of cases, the cost of the drug is reimbursed separately from the cost of patient access.
KW - Drug dispensation
KW - Oral anticancer drugs
KW - Reimbursement
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84878215440&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1700/1248.13785
DO - 10.1700/1248.13785
M3 - Article
SN - 0300-8916
VL - 99
SP - 35
EP - 38
JO - Tumori
JF - Tumori
IS - 1
ER -
