Why Do Cancer Drugs Cost So Much?

Posted Friday, September 25, 2009

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Earlier this year a medical study suggested that a drug used to treat colon cancer was too expensive for the benefit it provided. It begs the question, “how much is too much” when it comes to a life? One drug, Erbitux, can cost up to $80,000 for a 16-week regimen and may only prolong life by a few months. Should insurance cover that? What should such decisions be based on? Join ideastream health and science reporter Gretchen Cuda to discuss the high cost of prolonging life -- Friday morning at 9 on 90.3.

Guests

Dr. Neal Meropol Section Chief in Medical Oncology at University Hospitals Case Medical Center and Associate Director for Clinical Research at Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
Dr. Eric Kodish Professor and Chairman of the Department of Bioethics at Cleveland Clinic
Robin Supinger, Patient Navigator, American Cancer Society

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Nancy Johnson 9:53 AM 9/25/09

My chemo treatment cost $17,000 per treatment in Akron, Ohio My friend who lives in Zanesvill had chemo treatments that cost $10,000 per treatment Why is there a difference?