Barriers to Medication Access in Pediatric Oncology in the United States

Michael J Kelly; Lillian Sung; David S Dickens

doi:10.1097/MPH.0000000000001297

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Barriers to Medication Access in Pediatric Oncology in the United States

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Barriers to Medication Access in Pediatric Oncology in the United States

Michael J Kelly, Lillian Sung and David S Dickens

Journal of pediatric hematology/oncology, Vol.41(4), pp.286-288

05/2019

DOI: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000001297

PMID: 30124549

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Abstract

Timely medication access in pediatric oncology is important; yet barriers are poorly described. We surveyed pediatric oncology health care providers at National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program sites on their experience with the impact of drug acquisition difficulties, prior authorization (PA) requests, insurance denials, and patient copays leading to deviations or delays from prescribed treatment for their pediatric/adolescent/young adult patients in calendar year 2016. PA requests, the most frequently cited issue, created a deviation or delay from planned chemotherapy and supportive care treatment in at least 61% of respondents. Half of the respondents believed that PA-induced delays had a negative impact on care. Two-thirds of respondents felt that delays in starting therapy due to barriers in medication access created psychologic or emotional distress for the patient or family. Pediatric cancer patients may be receiving inferior care as a result of barriers to medication access.

United States

Health Services Accessibility - statistics & numerical data

Humans

Child, Preschool

Male

Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use

Antineoplastic Agents - economics

Health Services Accessibility - economics

Neoplasms - drug therapy

Young Adult

Pediatrics - statistics & numerical data

Medical Oncology - statistics & numerical data

Adolescent

Female

Surveys and Questionnaires

Child

Details

Title: Subtitle: Barriers to Medication Access in Pediatric Oncology in the United States
Creators: Michael J Kelly - Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, The Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA
Lillian Sung - Division of Haematolgy/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronoto, ON
David S Dickens - Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, East Lansing, MI
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of pediatric hematology/oncology, Vol.41(4), pp.286-288
DOI: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000001297
PMID: 30124549
ISSN: 1077-4114
eISSN: 1536-3678
Grant note: UG1 CA189955 / NCI NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 05/2019
Academic Unit: Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Hematology/Oncology
Record Identifier: 9984093352902771

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