Nationwide analysis of Medicare expenditure and utilization of EGFR inhibitors from 2018-2022.

112 Background: EGFR inhibitors are used extensively for treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer ranging from first line drugs in combination with chemotherapy to monotherapy for refractory disease. As we increasingly move towards targeted treatments for cancer, financial implications of these drugs must be taken into consideration. In this study we aim to analyze changes in Medicare spending for Cetuximab and Panitumumab to better understand the financial impact of these therapies. Methods: We obtained data from the publicly available Medicare Part D database from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Data on total spending, total claims, total beneficiaries, average spending per claim, and average spending per beneficiary was extracted from the database. We adjusted the data for 2018 for 2022 using a standard annual inflation rate. Percentage change was calculated using the adjusted data. Results: For Cetuximab, we saw a sharp increase in total spending by 38.77%, from $4,912,903.87 in 2018 to $6,811,781.05 in 2022. The number of claims rose by 31.96%, while the total number of beneficiaries saw a modest increase of 2.44%. Average spending per claim increased by 16.04%, and average spending per beneficiary grew by 49.44%. Panitumumab showed a similar rise in total spending by 43.23%, from $1,594,347.66 in 2018 to $2,283,142.83 in 2022. Claims increased by 25.42%, and beneficiaries grew by 47.83%. Average spending per claim increased by 25.97%, and average spending per beneficiary saw a substantial rise of 65.75%. Conclusions: Our results indicate a significant increase in the financial burden related to EGFR inhibitors. As we move away from chemotherapy and shift our focus to targeted therapies, it is imperative to explore generic alternatives and direct policy changes to ensure equitable access across various racial and socio-economic groups. These findings highlight the need for further research into healthcare policy reforms to ease the burden on our health system. Drug Year Total Spending ($) Total Claims Total Beneficiaries Avg Spending/Claim ($) Avg Spending/Beneficiary ($) Cetuximab 2018 4,912,903.87 551 123 8,072.80 36,163.51 2022 6,811,781.05 727 126 9,369.71 54,061.75 % Change 0.3877 0.3196 0.0244 0.1604 0.4944 Panitumumab 2018 1,594,347.66 5,955 184 242.72 30,714.91 2022 2,283,142.83 7,470 272 305.81 50,736.51 % Change 0.4323 0.2542 0.4783 0.2597 0.6575