According to the Healthcare Institute, the drug offers added value for patients: in combination with chemotherapy, it increases their chances of survival. Additionally, dostarlimab is cost-effective. This means that the costs of treatment are in reasonable proportion to the expected health gains for patients. The Healthcare Institute did advise the minister to first make price agreements with the manufacturer and to take into account price agreements of comparable immunotherapies.
Minister Agema: “I am pleased that the negotiations have succeeded and that this drug can now be used through the basic insurance. Women who benefit from the drug can receive it fully reimbursed until at least December 31, 2026. After that, I will have to sit down again with the manufacturer to see if we can also reach an agreement for 2027 and beyond.”
Patients
The drug dostarlimab is an immunotherapy administered via an infusion. It is a treatment that helps the bodys immune system to better destroy cancer cells. Dostarlimab can be used in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of certain patients with advanced (metastatic) or recurrent uterine cancer.
Expensive drugs in the sluice
Drugs used in hospitals are usually admitted to the basic package of health insurance without special agreements on use and price. However, if new drugs are very expensive, they can be excluded from the basic package. They are then moved to the so-called drug sluice. An assessment by independent experts from the Healthcare Institute is first required. They assess the drug based on its effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. The Healthcare Institute then advises the minister whether the drug can be admitted to the basic insurance and at what price. The minister then makes a decision on admission and can negotiate the terms of admission and the price. This has now also happened with dostarlimab.