A Report of the Medical Technology Assessment on Radioimmunotherapy for B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Patients Using Yttrium-90 Ibritumomab Tiuxetan

Abstract

Radioimmunotherapy with unsealed source ⁹⁰Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan requires physicians and paramedics who have adequate knowledge and experience as to anti-cancer chemotherapy, radiation therapy, handling of radioactive materials, etc. as well as adequate facilities, equipments and safety management system. The Japanese Society of Nuclear Medicine and the Japanese Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology recently conducted an economic evaluation about radioimmunotherapy using ⁹⁰Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan based on the medical technology assessment at the 16 medical facilities. As a result of this survey, the necessity to improve the current reimbursement system under national health insurance has been suggested, so that the cost(4 450 ten for five times)for this therapy at the medical facility can be appropriately reimbursed for the proper dissemination of this therapy.