Dr. Pennell on Understanding the Cost-Effectiveness of Osimertinib in NSCLC

Nathan A. Pennell, MD, PhD, an associate professor in the Department of Medicine and director of the Lung Cancer Medical Oncology Program at the Taussig Cancer Institute of Cleveland Clinic, discusses the importance of understanding the cost-effectiveness of osimertinib (Tagrisso) in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

During the 2021 ASCO Annual Meeting, findings from a cost-effectiveness analysis of adjuvant osimertinib in patients with resected, EGFR-mutant NSCLC were presented. The results demonstrated that adjuvant osimertinib is cost-effective if one is willing to pay $317,119 more per quality-adjusted life years–gained.

Currently, osimertinib is approved by the FDA for use in this patient population and is often covered by insurance, says Pennell. However, in countries other than the United States, cost-effectiveness may be considered more often as a determinant in treatment selection, Pennell explains.

As such, treatment with osimertinib should not be considered cost-ineffective, but it is important for providers and patients to understand the cost of treatments, such as osimertinib, in all situations, concludes Pennell.