Cost of Brand-Name Cancer Drugs Doubling: Study

A recent report shows that the average costs of many brand-name cancer drugs have more than doubled since 2003, according to the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics.

Findings showed that many cancer drugs cost an average of $10,000 per month, with treatments that can increase to $30,000 per month.

The report examined the prices for the 10 most common chemotherapy treatments, showing that hospitals charged an average of 189 percent more than private practices for the same kinds of treatments. In fact, a hospital outpatient might have treatment doses increased by $134 in comparison to patients who received treatment at an oncologists office.

Findings also showed that patients who are more likely to deal with out-of-pocket payments are also more likely to end their treatment early. In fact, an increase of around $30 in co-pays from many, resulting in many breast cancer patients stopping medical care early.

"The evidence of patients stopping their therapy due to high out-of-pocket costs is alarming," said Murray Aitken, executive director of the IMS Institute, via CBS News. "Fortunately there are patient assistance programs and other mechanisms available to help patients with this issue."

The United States also has little wiggle room for the cost of certain treatments. 

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the "IMS Health Study: Cancer Drug Innovation Surges As Cost Growth Moderates."