Singapore Healthcare Cancer Treatment
Singapore’s national health insurance program, Medishield Life, undertook a review that led to expanded coverage of cancer drugs under the Medication Assistance Fund. As part of this effort, subsidies will be provided for a larger number of cancer drugs. Specifically, 340 drugs will now be eligible for subsidies under the Outpatient Cancer Drugs List, representing 90% of all cancer treatments approved by Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority. However, novel and new therapies are unlikely to be eligible for subsidy.
A recent review of Medishield Life revealed that spending on cancer drugs has been growing at a rate of 20% annually between 2016 and 2019, compared to 6% for other drugs. The annual expenditure on cancer drugs reached an average of $278 million, constituting 25% of the country’s total drug cost. If this trend continues, it is projected that expenditure on cancer drugs will surpass $2 billion by 2030, more than seven times the amount spent in 2019.
Previously, the insurance process had a claim limit of $2000 for all cancer outpatient treatments. However, this had unintended consequences, as it led to an increase in cancer drug prices to maximize the claims. Following the review, prices have decreased by up to 30%, aligning with the objective of reducing the costs of cancer drugs.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) publishes the list of approved drugs on its website and updates it every four months. One limitation of this approach is that certain novel therapies may not be included on the list due to insufficient clinical evidence demonstrating their effectiveness in improving overall survival or response duration. However, doctors can request the inclusion of treatments not on the list if there is adequate clinical evidence supporting their use.
Data from the Singapore Cancer Registry shows a significant increase in cancer diagnoses, with 71,748 people diagnosed between 2013 and 2017, compared to 57,303 people in the preceding five-year period. Cancer is currently the leading cause of death, with three out of 10 individuals expected to succumb to the disease. Ongoing medical advancements contribute to the rising costs associated with cancer treatment.
By revising the claim limits, Singapore aims to improve its negotiating power with pharmaceutical companies by determining cost-effective solutions. The Agency for Care Effectiveness in Singapore plays a vital role in identifying treatments that yield positive outcomes at affordable prices, and their recommendations are reviewed by the MOH’s Drug Advisory Committee. This approach aligns Singapore more closely with countries like Britain and Australia.
U.S. companies in the field of cancer care who wish to learn more about opportunities and registration requirements may contact Ms. Luanne Theseira at the U.S. Commercial Service in Singapore.