The value of a year of life and the ICER report

Submitted by blackswan on Fri, 05/20/2016 - 03:24

The heated discussions about a report on the value of myeloma drugs issued by the Institute of Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) have brought into focus the pricing of a year of life. New York Times blogger Susan Gubar, diagnosed with cancer in 2008, has faced the challenges of paying for her treatments and care. Despite an excellent job and good benefits, she learned the hard way about the “financial toxicity of cancer treatments.” She was shocked to discover that the value of one year of her life was between $50,000 and $150,000, as discussed in a New England Journal of Medicine article, “Updating Cost-Effectiveness.” This is the value of a QALY: quality adjusted life-year.

Myeloma Experts, Not Bureaucrats, Should Create Treatment Recommendations for Patients

Submitted by blackswan on Fri, 05/06/2016 - 03:12

In my previous blog, I wrote about the myeloma drug cost assessment report drafted by the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER). The potential contents of the ICER report continue to raise eyebrows—and considerable ire—among patients, who worry the report’s findings will limit treatment access. The American Society of Hematology (ASH) expressed its concern here.

iStopMM (Iceland Screens Treats or Prevents Multiple Myeloma) really will stop myeloma for a whole country—Iceland!

Submitted by blackswan on Fri, 04/15/2016 - 02:40

As announced this week, the IMF is funding the iStopMM (Iceland Screens Treats or Prevents Multiple Myeloma) study, an exciting new addition to the portfolio of more than 35 Black Swan Research Initiative® (BSRI®) projects. Dr. Sigurdur Kristinsson (University of Iceland) is the lead investigator.

To collaborate, or not to collaborate, that is the question

Submitted by blackswan on Fri, 02/05/2016 - 02:37

The successes achieved by the IMF’s International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) are due, in large part, to collaboration. Bringing myeloma researchers together to produce consensus guidelines and to brainstorm about new research ideas, such as the Black Swan Research Initiative® – the IMF’s “Myeloma Moonshot” – has produced significant breakthroughs, advanced understanding and improved patient outcomes.

Chinese physicians learn about myeloma at the 4th IMF Myeloma Master Class

Submitted by Dr. Brian GM Durie on Fri, 09/04/2015 - 02:39

For the fourth year in a row, a group of physicians from leading medical institutions in China came to Los Angeles to learn about myeloma during the International Myeloma Foundation’s unique Myeloma Master Class. During the course of the seven days, they expanded their knowledge of what is possible in treating myeloma patients in China, and we learned about the challenges facing these incredibly dedicated and enthusiastic young physicians.

Pages