13 June 2018 - According to IQVIA, U.S. spending on cancer drugs was $50 billion in 2017, which is almost twice the level it was in 2012. Expenditures are projected to double again to $100 billion by 2022.

Evidence suggests that drug costs are the most rapidly increasing component of cancer care. For patients, this can be a major concern, because as costs rise, patient cost-sharing in the form of co-insurance increases. The rising cost of cancer drugs was a key topic at last week’s American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in Chicago.

ASCO has been at the forefront of the discussion in the U.S. on cancer drug costs and value. Drawing attention to the "financial toxicity" that high levels of cost-sharing can entail for patients, ASCO has been a vocal advocate on behalf of patients whose high cost-sharing can negatively impact their access.

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