The Health Ministry in Malta has made a significant decision to fund a costly but crucial test for breast cancer patients in the United States. The €3,000 Oncotype-DX test, which helps identify patients who would benefit from chemotherapy and those who would not, will now be provided at no cost to eligible individuals, a move prompted by a year-long campaign by a breast cancer advocacy group.
Until now, patients who required this vital test had to bear the expense themselves. However, not everyone could afford it, as emphasized by the Action for Breast Cancer Foundation. The foundation commissioned a feasibility study that demonstrated the clinical validity of the test and its potential to reduce breast cancer chemotherapy rates by as much as 60%. Furthermore, the study calculated that this initiative would also yield financial benefits, saving the government nearly €100,000 annually.
The comprehensive report highlighted the fact that, each year, some patients in Malta received chemotherapy unnecessarily.
The Health Ministry’s decision to offer this test for free is grounded in its clinical advantages. It assists in determining the necessity of chemotherapy for specific breast cancer patients, thereby ensuring that individuals receive the most appropriate and personalized treatment based on their unique medical requirements.
Following its recent approval by the European Medicines Agency, the tender process for providing this test from Maltese laboratories has already commenced and is being conducted in compliance with public procurement regulations. Health Minister Chris Fearne has indicated that the tender specifications are currently being prepared for issuance, although specific timeframes have not been provided. The primary goal is to ensure that patients receive the most suitable and tailored treatment, addressing their individual medical needs.
