OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of brand + brand drug combinations on reimbursement decisions in multiple myeloma.

METHODS: Health technology assessments (HTAs) of multiple myeloma drugs were conducted by G-BA (Germany), HAS (France), NICE (United Kingdom), SMC (Scotland), and TLV (Sweden) between June 2016 and September 2021, and were included in the analysis. HTAs with abbreviated submissions, terminated appraisals, non-submissions, and those without clinical evidence or reimbursement decisions were excluded. Descriptive statistics were reported.

RESULTS: A total of 30 HTAs of 6 brand + brand drug combinations (i.e., carfilzomib + lenalidomide, elotuzumab + lenalidomide, daratumumab + lenalidomide, ixazomib + lenalidomide, elotuzumab + pomalidomide, and isatuximab + pomalidomide) were included in the analysis. Of these brand + brand drug combinations, 87% (n = 26) were recommended and 13% (n = 4) were not recommended. All 6 brand + brand drug combinations that were submitted included dexamethasone as an adjunct drug. One hundred percent of the reviews submitted to G-BA (23% [n = 7]), HAS (40% [n = 12]), and TLV (3% [n =1]) were recommended.

CONCLUSIONS: As per National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines, triple regimens (2 drug classes + steroids) should be used as the standard therapy for patients with multiple myeloma. Dual branding of drugs can provide value to payers and health care systems by improving patient access to novel treatments. Brand + brand targeted oncology drug combinations are most likely to receive positive decisions from HTA agencies.