[Event Report] Non-partisan Diet Member study session: “Challenges and Prospects for Improving Patient Access to Genomic Cancer Medicine” (December 12, 2023)
date : 12/18/2023
Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI), under the auspices of the Japan Federation of Cancer Patient Groups, held a study session for non-partisan Diet members entitled “Challenges and Prospects for Improving Patient Access to Genomic Cancer Medicine”. Dr. Manabu Muto, Professor, Department of Therapeutic Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, gave a lecture on policy issues for improving patient access to Genomic Cancer Medicine. After his lecture, the Diet members attending the meeting asked many questions and engaged in a lively exchange of opinions.
Purpose
“Personalized cancer medicine (precision medicine)”, in which treatment is tailored to each individual based on genetic mutations and other characteristics of the cancer, is expected to play an important role in the future. Among these, “Genomic Cancer Medicine” is a medical treatment with development potential that should be widely provided to patients in the future, although clinical experience is accumulating with the inclusion of cancer gene panel tests in insurance coverage in June 2019. In June 2023, the “Genomic Medicine Law” (“Act on the Comprehensive and Systematic Promotion of Measures to Ensure the Public Can Access High-Quality, Suitable Genomic Medicine with Peace of Mind”) was enacted, and momentum is growing to promote Genomic Cancer Medicine. However, there are a wide range of policy issues that need to be addressed in order to expand Genomic Cancer Medicine, including not only issues that are common to medical care in Japan, but also many issues that are unique to Genomic Cancer Medicine.
The purpose of this study session for members of the Diet was to raise awareness of issues related to policies and necessary measures for “Improving Patient Access to Genomic Cancer Medicine”.
Issues to be addressed in Japan
- In Japan, cancer gene panel tests will be covered by insurance before the rest of the world in June 2019, which was expected to mark the dawn of precision medicine. However, the percentage of cancer gene panel tests that lead to treatment is less than 10%, leaving many patients without the benefit of testing.
- One of the reasons for this is the timing of cancer gene panel tests, and the fact that the test can only be done at the end of standard treatment is the main reason why it does not lead to treatment.
- Even though the expert panel discusses and recommends rare genetic mutations found by the cancer gene panel test every day, the extended clinical trial system does not work, and the fact that it is difficult to use the test outside the scope of application in Japan is also one of the reasons why it does not lead to treatment.
Political Requests
(1) Cancer gene panel tests are designed to efficiently and effectively lead to treatments that are expected to be effective, and we request that the current medical fee restrictions (after completion of standard treatment) be removed.
(2) We request that the current reimbursement system, in which companion diagnoses and profile tests are calculated separately, be improved to make effective use of the companion diagnoses included in cancer gene panel tests, and that the reimbursement be made a single reimbursement system for cancer gene panel tests.
(3) In order to further utilize the cancer gene panel test, it is necessary to establish a system (companion use and patient assistant program system) to provide drugs for rare mutations detected by the test on a humane basis as soon as possible.
(4) Cancer Gene Panel Testing to Improve Access to Treatment and Address Treatment Resistance
should be made available to patients for testing multiple times during their lifetime, rather than only once.
[Program] (Titles omitted)
Opening Remarks
Katsuhito Nakajima (Member of the House of Representative / Executive Director of the Diet Members Caucus for the Development of a Social Environment for the Advancement of Appropriate Genetic Medicine)
Explanation of purpose and introduction of the policy proposal “ Improving Patient Access to Genomic Cancer Medicine
Haruka Sakamoto (Senior Manager, Health and Global Policy Institute)
Lecture “Challenges and Prospects for Improving Patient Access to Genomic Cancer Medicine”
Manabu Muto (Professor, Department of Therapeutic Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University)
Closing Remarks
Tamayo Marukawa (Member of the House of Councillors / Acting President of the Diet Members Caucus for the Development of a Social Environment for the Advancement of Appropriate Genetic Medicine)
Question and answer session
日本語
Top Research & Recommendations Posts
- [Announcement] A Turning Point Towards Building Green Healthcare Systems (June 5, 2024)
- [Policy Recommendations] Developing a National Health and Climate Strategy for Japan (June 26, 2024)
- [Publication Report] Guidance on Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in Health Policymaking: Necessary Initiatives and Good Examples from the Public and Government (March 31, 2024)
- [Policy Recommendations] Obesity Control Promotion Project 2023 “The Next Steps for Engaging and Cooperating with Patients, Citizens, and Communities for Implements of Obesity Control Measurements” (April 8, 2024)
- [Research Report] Healthcare DX Project Research Report of Interviews ”Expectations for the Coming Era of Healthcare DX from People Living with Health Concerns” (June 10, 2024)
- [Policy Recommendations] Recommendation for the Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform 2024 (June 11, 2024)
- [Policy Recommendations] Kidney Disease Control Promotion Project 2023 “Establishing Kidney Disease Control Measures with Patient, Citizen, and Community Engagement and Collaboration” Policy Recommendations, a Collection of Good Practices of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and Control Measures in Local Governments (February 14, 2024)
- [Research Report] Building a Mental Health Program for Children and Measuring its Effectiveness (June 16, 2022)
- [Public Comment Submission] Web based consultations on NCDs and mental health by World Health Organization (June 25, 2024)
- [Research Report] The 2023 Public Opinion Survey on Satisfaction in Healthcare in Japan and Healthcare Applications of Generative AI (January 11, 2024)
Featured Posts
-
2024-06-21
[Event Report] HGPI Special Seminar – HGPI Celebrates its 20th Anniversary: Reflecting on HGPI’s Journey from the Past to the Future (January 16, 2024)
-
2024-06-25
[Public Comment Submission] Web based consultations on NCDs and mental health by World Health Organization (June 25, 2024)
-
2024-06-26
[Event Report] Global Expert Meeting “Innovation in Cancer Care in Developing Countries ~City Cancer Challenge Initiatives“ (June 20, 2024)
-
2024-06-26
[Registration Open] (Webinar) The 127th HGPI Seminar: Current Issues and Future Prospects in Establishing a Health System and Protecting Public Health Through Policy (July 18, 2024)
-
2024-07-01
[Registration Open] Meaningful Involvement Promotion Project Online Expert Meeting “Shaping the Future of Health Policy with People with Lived Experience and Citizens” (July 26, 2024)