The impact of expanded access programs for systemic anticancer therapy in an Irish cancer centre.

Background: Expanded access programs (EAPs) allow cancer patients with unmet clinical need to obtain access to pre-authorisation treatments. There is no standardised process for implementing these programs nationally, and real-world data on their impact is lacking.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of such EAPs and their impact in a cancer centre.

An evaluation of the utilisation of biosimilar monoclonal antibody drugs in Ireland and barriers to their usage.

Background: While biologic drugs have demonstrated efficacy across a range of indications, patient access to these drugs is constrained due to their high cost. Biosimilars provide a means to increase patient access while reducing the financial burden.

Aims: The primary objective was to determine the current usage of biosimilar and reference trastuzumab and rituximab in four Irish hospitals.