Two lymphoma drugs under used

Two drugs proven successful against lymphoma rarely are prescribed because market-driven forces distort medical decisions, it was reported Saturday.

Bexxar and Zevalin are federally approved for lymphoma, but fewer than 10 percent of suitable candidates for the drugs received them last year, The New York Times reported.

"It is astounding and disappointing" Bexxar and Zevalin are used so little, said Dr. Oliver W. Press, chairman of the scientific advisory board of the Lymphoma Research Foundation.

Oncologists often repeatedly prescribe other drugs, even after they have lost their effectiveness, when Bexxar and Zevalin might work better, Press said.

Oncologists often have financial incentives to use drugs other than Bexxar and Zevalin, which they are not paid to administer, Press said. In addition, using either drug usually requires doctors to coordinate treatment with academic hospitals, which the doctors may view as competition, the Times reported.

Source:www.sciencedaily.com