ACCC, COA and US Oncology Hold Capitol Hill Briefing on the Importance of Off-label Therapies for Cancer Care

Cancer Community Gathers to Discuss Off-label Therapies

On July 21, 2009, ACCC, COA and US Oncology hosted members of the oncology patient and provider communities in a discussion on the use of off-label therapies in the fight against cancer. Amy P. Abernethy, M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine, Assistant Professor of Nursing at Duke University, Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, M.D., M.A.C.P., Deputy Chief Medical Officer, American Cancer Society, Robert Siegel, M.D., Division Director, Hematology/Oncology, George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates, and cancer patient representatives briefed congressional staff on the use of off-label therapies in cancer care, current reimbursement practices for off-label indications, the state of the evidence for/against these indications and the sources of the evidence available to practicing oncologists.

The educational briefing, hosted in coordination with the House Cancer Caucus, explained how and why up to 75% of all anti-cancer prescriptions are prescribed off-label, detailing the background and rationale for the CMS guidelines for off-label chemotherapy and presenting the results of a technology assessment that evaluated the processes and content of CMS-approved compendia. The briefing discussed off-label reimbursement policies, the evidence development and review that support them and their importance in facilitating patients' access to new, effective anti-cancer treatments. In addition, the experts discussed possible improvements to current processes of evidence review, dissemination, and use so that oncologists are provided with up-to-date information in a manner that supports efficient, evidence-based, clinical decision-making and quality care for cancer patients.

US Oncology looks forward to hosting further Capitol Hill educational events with ACCC and COA as the year progresses.

Click here to read the Capitol Hill briefing press release.