ELCC 2018 | The reality of implementing TKI therapies for NSCLC in Europe
Speaking from the European Lung Cancer Congress (ELCC) 2018, held in Geneva, Switzerland, Silvia Novello, MD, PhD, of San Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, Orbassano, Italy, discusses the logistical implications of implementing tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatments across different European countries. She highlights the differences in screening and treatment policies between countries, and explains how to improve these discrepancies in the future.
Transcript (edited for clarity)
I believe that this was an important topic because we are in Europe, and in Europe, we know that Europe is not the same country everywhere, because the assessment to test and drugs is different.
I know when talking with colleagues and friends who are working in other European countries, that the availability of the test is not the same everywhere.
So, in some countries so there is the possibility to prescribe and to have the reimbursement of FISH and immunohistochemistry, in other countries, only immunohistochemistry or other tests, so there is heterogeneity also in terms of screening...
I believe that this was an important topic because we are in Europe, and in Europe, we know that Europe is not the same country everywhere, because the assessment to test and drugs is different.
I know when talking with colleagues and friends who are working in other European countries, that the availability of the test is not the same everywhere.
So, in some countries so there is the possibility to prescribe and to have the reimbursement of FISH and immunohistochemistry, in other countries, only immunohistochemistry or other tests, so there is heterogeneity also in terms of screening.
The second point is obviously the availability of the drug, and the delay in the drug approval. I strongly believe that scientific societies and patient advocacy have to work together to ameliorate this situation.
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