Tufts finds value for money in specialty drugs

A study published in Health Affairs suggests that despite their higher costs, specialty drugs can offer "reasonable value for money" compared to traditional drugs, although the treatment gains from specialty treatments also come with greater incremental costs.

A team led by James Chambers of Tufts Medical Center analyzed 102 (37%) of the 279 NMEs approved from 1999-2011. The authors examined the incremental health improvements of the new drugs measured in quality-adjusted life years (QALY) compared to their incremental costs as well as to existing therapies. ...