Willingness to pay for an mRNA-based anti-cancer treatment: results from a contingent valuation study in Israel
Abstract Background mRNA technology is currently being investigated for a range of oncology indications. We assessed the willingness to pay (WTP) of the general population in Israel for a hypothetical novel mRNA-based treatment for oncology indications. Methods We used a contingent valuation methodo...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Israel Journal of Health Policy Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13584-024-00594-z |
| _version_ | 1797274307500441600 |
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| author | Omer Ben-Aharon Ruslan Sergienko Georgi Iskrov Dan Greenberg |
| author_facet | Omer Ben-Aharon Ruslan Sergienko Georgi Iskrov Dan Greenberg |
| author_sort | Omer Ben-Aharon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background mRNA technology is currently being investigated for a range of oncology indications. We assessed the willingness to pay (WTP) of the general population in Israel for a hypothetical novel mRNA-based treatment for oncology indications. Methods We used a contingent valuation methodology to elicit WTP using a web-based questionnaire. A sample of adult participants were presented with a hypothetical scenario in which an mRNA-based intervention increased the likelihood of a cure for various cancer types from 20% to 40% (half of the sample), or 60% (the other half of the sample). Results 531 respondents completed the questionnaire. The mean, median and mode WTP for the proposed hypothetical treatment in both scenarios were ILS65,000 (± ILS114,000), ILS20,000 and ILS50,000, respectively (1USD = 3.4ILS). The WTP was skewed towards zero, and 9.6% of the respondents were not willing to pay any amount. WTP higher amounts was significantly associated with higher income (p < 0.01), self-reported good health (p < 0.05), supplementary health insurance (p < 0.05), Jews compared to other populations (p < 0.01), interest in technology (p < 0.001) and a tendency to adopt medical innovations (p < 0.001). No statistical difference between the 40% vs. the 60% potential cure scenarios was found. Logistic and OLS regressions indicated that age, religion, income, and interest in adopting medical innovations were the best predictors of respondents' WTP. Conclusion Despite the scientific breakthroughs in oncology treatment over the last few decades, many types of cancer are still incurable. Given the expected development of innovative mRNA-based treatments for cancer, these results should inform policymakers, the pharmaceutical industry and other stakeholders on the future coverage and reimbursement of these technologies incorporating patients’ and societal views. To date, WTP considerations have not been given much weight in prioritization of drug reimbursement processes, neither in Israel nor in other countries. As a pioneer in adoption of the mRNA technology, Israel can also lead the incorporation of WTP considerations in this field. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:57:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-77aead217b9743859b44de9a46f1b016 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-4015 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:57:31Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Israel Journal of Health Policy Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-77aead217b9743859b44de9a46f1b0162024-03-05T19:22:12ZengBMCIsrael Journal of Health Policy Research2045-40152024-02-0113111710.1186/s13584-024-00594-zWillingness to pay for an mRNA-based anti-cancer treatment: results from a contingent valuation study in IsraelOmer Ben-Aharon0Ruslan Sergienko1Georgi Iskrov2Dan Greenberg3Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the NegevDepartment of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the NegevDepartment of Social Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of PlovdivDepartment of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the NegevAbstract Background mRNA technology is currently being investigated for a range of oncology indications. We assessed the willingness to pay (WTP) of the general population in Israel for a hypothetical novel mRNA-based treatment for oncology indications. Methods We used a contingent valuation methodology to elicit WTP using a web-based questionnaire. A sample of adult participants were presented with a hypothetical scenario in which an mRNA-based intervention increased the likelihood of a cure for various cancer types from 20% to 40% (half of the sample), or 60% (the other half of the sample). Results 531 respondents completed the questionnaire. The mean, median and mode WTP for the proposed hypothetical treatment in both scenarios were ILS65,000 (± ILS114,000), ILS20,000 and ILS50,000, respectively (1USD = 3.4ILS). The WTP was skewed towards zero, and 9.6% of the respondents were not willing to pay any amount. WTP higher amounts was significantly associated with higher income (p < 0.01), self-reported good health (p < 0.05), supplementary health insurance (p < 0.05), Jews compared to other populations (p < 0.01), interest in technology (p < 0.001) and a tendency to adopt medical innovations (p < 0.001). No statistical difference between the 40% vs. the 60% potential cure scenarios was found. Logistic and OLS regressions indicated that age, religion, income, and interest in adopting medical innovations were the best predictors of respondents' WTP. Conclusion Despite the scientific breakthroughs in oncology treatment over the last few decades, many types of cancer are still incurable. Given the expected development of innovative mRNA-based treatments for cancer, these results should inform policymakers, the pharmaceutical industry and other stakeholders on the future coverage and reimbursement of these technologies incorporating patients’ and societal views. To date, WTP considerations have not been given much weight in prioritization of drug reimbursement processes, neither in Israel nor in other countries. As a pioneer in adoption of the mRNA technology, Israel can also lead the incorporation of WTP considerations in this field.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13584-024-00594-zCancerOncologyWillingness to pay (WTP)Contingent valuationmRNA |
| spellingShingle | Omer Ben-Aharon Ruslan Sergienko Georgi Iskrov Dan Greenberg Willingness to pay for an mRNA-based anti-cancer treatment: results from a contingent valuation study in Israel Israel Journal of Health Policy Research Cancer Oncology Willingness to pay (WTP) Contingent valuation mRNA |
| title | Willingness to pay for an mRNA-based anti-cancer treatment: results from a contingent valuation study in Israel |
| title_full | Willingness to pay for an mRNA-based anti-cancer treatment: results from a contingent valuation study in Israel |
| title_fullStr | Willingness to pay for an mRNA-based anti-cancer treatment: results from a contingent valuation study in Israel |
| title_full_unstemmed | Willingness to pay for an mRNA-based anti-cancer treatment: results from a contingent valuation study in Israel |
| title_short | Willingness to pay for an mRNA-based anti-cancer treatment: results from a contingent valuation study in Israel |
| title_sort | willingness to pay for an mrna based anti cancer treatment results from a contingent valuation study in israel |
| topic | Cancer Oncology Willingness to pay (WTP) Contingent valuation mRNA |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13584-024-00594-z |
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