Sunitinib and everolimus for the treatment of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours: predicted versus actual analysis
Page last updated: 2 March 2018
Drug utilisation sub-committee (DUSC)
September 2017
Abstract
Purpose
To compare the predicted and actual utilisation of sunitinib and everolimus for the treatment of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour (pNET) since these medicines were PBS listed for this indication in December 2013 and April 2015 respectively.
Current PBS restriction for pNET
Sunitinib (Sutent®) 12.5 mg, 25 mg and 50 mg capsules were PBS listed for pNET on 1 December 2013. The 37.5 mg strength was added on 1 September 2015. Everolimus (Afinitor®) 5 mg and 10 mg capsules were listed for pNET on 1 April 2015.
Eligible patients must have metastatic or unresectable, well-differentiated malignant pNET. Patients must be symptomatic (despite somatostatin analogues); or patients must have disease progression.
Patients who have developed progressive disease on everolimus are not eligible to receive PBS-subsidised sunitinib for this condition. Disease progression must be documented in the patient's medical records. Patients who have developed intolerance to sunitinib or everolimus that is sufficiently severe to necessitate permanent treatment withdrawal are eligible to receive PBS-subsidised treatment with the other listed medicine.
Key Findings
- The actual prescription utilisation and R/PBS expenditure was less than predicted for both sunitinib and everolimus.
- The number of patients treated was more than expected for both drugs..
- The number of prescriptions per patient per year and the overall length of treatment per patient for both drugs were much less than predicted.
Full Report
