This year’s meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), focused as usual on new breakthroughs in oncology — especially in immunotherapy and specialty drug combinations. But behind the glittering scientific developments, there was a growing shadow. As clinicians proudly spoke of the results achieved by combining expensive specialty drugs, those with a practical bent wondered whether payers would be willing to pay the bill for such expensive therapies.

NAI Senior Consultant, Jill E. Sackman, D.V.M., Ph.D., was interviewed by Biotechnology Healthcare on the benefits of combination drugs and the effect the associated costs will have on payers. Dr. Sackman further explains challenges biotech companies will face as payers demand more persuasive evidence to support the expanding costs.

Click here to read Michael D. Dalzell’s complete article, ASCO: The Science Was Grand, But What Will Payers Think?, published Fall 2012.