Accessibility to targeted oncology drugs in Slovenia and selected European countries

Abstract Aim The aim of the study is to compare the accessibility to targeted oncology drugs in Slovenia and selected European countries. Methods Accessibility of targeted oncology drugs was assessed by using their sales data, expressed in mg per individual dying of the cancer for which the drug was indicated. Results The time of introduction of targeted oncology drugs in Slovenia was in most cases similar to the comparison countries, except for alemtuzumab and rituximab. The utilisation of targeted oncology drugs in Slovenia was in most cases lower than in other comparison countries. Ibritumomab had not been used in Slovenia until 2005, similar to France, Switzerland and UK. After 2003 the utilisation of trastuzumab in Slovenia started to rise substantially, approaching the average uptake in comparison countries. Conclusion The utilisation of targeted oncology drugs in Slovenia was in most cases lower than in comparison countries.