Impact of Early Access Reform on Oncology Innovation in France: Approvals, Patients, and Costs

An ambitious reform of the early access (EA) process was set up in July 2021 in France, aiming to simplify procedures and accelerate access to innovative drugs. This study analyzes the characteristics of oncology drug approvals through the EA process and its impact on real-life data for oncology patients. The number and characteristics of EA demands concerning oncology drugs submitted to the National Health Authority (HAS, Haute Autorité de Santé) were reviewed until 31 December 2022. A longitudinal retrospective study on patients treated with an EA oncology drug between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2022 was also performed using the French nationwide claims database (Systeme National des Données de Santé [SNDS]) to assess the impact of the reform on the number of indications and patients, and the costs. Among 110 published decisions, the HAS granted 88 (80