Dr. Novik on the Sustainability of Drug Development

Yelena Novik, MD, associate professor, New York University Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, discusses the sustainability of drug development in oncology.

Progress in the development of new therapeutic options is a big part of oncology, and physicians understand that there is need for investment in order to development these treatments, says Novik. However, Novik states that the current progression of drug development in oncology is unsustainable.

There are 3 new FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. These drugs have out-of-pocket costs upwards of $10,000 a month. The average person could not afford these drugs, says Novik.

The development and approval process of a biosimilar likewise costs millions of dollars. But, by the time a biosimilar is developed and approved, it will cost upwards of 30% less than the originator drug.