Guidelines for health technologies: specific guidance for oncology products in Canada.

Objective: Specific methodological challenges are often encountered during cancer-related economic evaluations. The objective of this study was to provide specific guidance to analysts on the methods for the conduct of high-quality economic evaluations in oncology by building on the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health Guidelines for the Economic Evaluation of Health Technologies (third edition).

Methods: Fifteen oncologists, health economists, health services researchers, and decision makers from across Canada identified sections in Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health guidelines that would benefit from oncology-specific guidance.

Verification of imatinib cost-effectiveness in advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor in British Columbia (VINCE-BC study).

Background: This cost-effectiveness analysis of imatinib in British Columbia Cancer Agency (BCCA) patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) was performed to justify funding.

Patients And Methods: A pragmatic, retrospective review identified BCCA patients with advanced GIST who received imatinib or historical treatment during successive, pre-specified time periods. Primary outcome was the cost-effectiveness (CE) of imatinib based on median overall survival (MOS).

Renal safety of 1-hour pamidronate infusion for breast cancer and multiple myeloma patients: comparison between clinical trials and population-based database.

Purpose: The American Society of Clinical Oncology recommends infusion of pamidronate over 2 hours to avoid renal deterioration, although there are data to suggest that 1-hour infusions may be safe.

Methods: Prevalence of renal deterioration with 1-hour pamidronate infusions from a population database was compared to renal deterioration with 2-hour pamidronate infusions, in randomised, controlled, trials. A cost-minimisation analysis, comparing the 1- and 2-hour pamidronate infusions, and the 15-minute infusion of zoledronic acid, was performed with a sensitivity analysis that varied the opportunity cost of time in the treatment room.

Re-evaluation of the cost effectiveness of temozolomide for malignant gliomas in British Columbia.

Study Objectives: To re-evaluate the cost effectiveness and median overall survival (OS) achieved in patients with recurrent malignant gliomas treated with temozolomide in British Columbia, as compared to previous lomustine use in the same patient population based on updated outcomes data. Results were also compared to temozolomide literature reports.

Methods: A retrospective medical record review was performed to identify patients who received single agent temozolomide or lomustine during successive, prespecified time periods.

Psychometric assessment and application of a questionnaire measuring patient: satisfaction with information on cancer treatment.

Objective: Pharmaceutical care follows a needs-based approach. Cancer patients form a group with particular needs. Information about cancer treatment plays an important role in terms of coping strategies, initiation of self-care behaviour, and quality of life.

Advising cancer patients on natural health products--a structured approach.

Background: Many patients with cancer (45-60%) use natural health products (NHPs). Pharmacists often find it difficult to advise these patients effectively.

Objective: To explore pharmacists' perceptions of the information needed to advise cancer patients on NHPs and develop a structured counseling approach.