Advice - reimburse dostarlimab (Jemperli®) for the treatment of endometrial cancer
The National Health Care Institute has advised the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) to reimburse dostarlimab (Jemperli®) from the basic health care package. This medicinal product can be used in combination with chemotherapy for certain patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. The reason for this advice was the placing of the medicinal product in the so-called ‘lock procedure for expensive medicinal products'.
Dostarlimab is intended for certain people with endometrial cancer
Dostarlimab is the active substance. The brand name is Jemperli®. The medicinal product dostarlimab is an immune therapy that is given through an IV. It is a treatment that stimulates the body's immune system to better contribute to destroying cancer cells.
Dostarlimab can be used in combination with chemotherapy to treat certain patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. In advanced endometrial cancer, the disease has spread and often cannot be cured. In recurrent endometrial cancer, the disease came back after it appeared to be gone.
Advice from the National Health Care Institute on the reimbursement of dostarlimab
The National Health Care Institute advises the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport to reimburse dostarlimab from the basic health care package. Dostarlimab in combination with chemotherapy has an added therapeutic value for patients, increasing their chances of survival. In addition, dostarlimab is cost-effective. This means that the costs of treatment are proportionate to the expected health benefits for patients. The National Health Care Institute advises the Minister to make price arrangements with the marketing authorisation holder and to take into account price arrangements for similar medicinal products. It is expected that dostarlimab will also be used for other conditions and that the costs will continue to rise in the future.
More information or questions?
If you have any questions about this advice, please send your question to the National Health Care Institute via warcg@zinl.nl. If you have questions about the reimbursement of a medicinal product, the personal expenses or whether you should pay a contribution, please ask your health insurance provider.
How did the advice come about?
The Scientific Advisory Board advises the National Health Care Institute about the assessment. The final decision as to whether or not reimbursement from the basic health care package will take place lies with the Minister.
Lock procedure for expensive medicinal products
The Minister has placed dostarlimab for this indication in the lock procedure for expensive medicinal products. A medicinal product in this lock procedure will not be eligible for reimbursement from the basic health care package until:
- there is a positive package advice from the National Health Care Institute;
- there are arrangements and safeguards for appropriateness in place;
- price reductions have been successfully negotiated with the manufacturer.
For more information, see the page ‘Lock procedure for expensive medicinal products’.