# A retrospective analysis of outpatient use of small-molecule targeted inhibitors for lymphoma across six regions of China (2016–2022)

## TL;DR

This study examines how the use of targeted cancer drugs for lymphoma in China's outpatient settings grew from 2016 to 2022, showing increased prescriptions and cost-effective use.

## Contribution

The study provides a national pharmacoeconomic analysis of small-molecule targeted inhibitors for lymphoma treatment in China, highlighting policy impacts on drug affordability and usage.

## Key findings

- Prescription volumes and expenditures for small-molecule targeted inhibitors increased significantly from 2016 to 2022.
- Drug costs rose more slowly than prescriptions after 2020, due to insurance and procurement policies reducing financial burden.
- Pharmacoeconomic analysis confirmed the rational and efficient use of these inhibitors in lymphoma treatment.

## Abstract

This study aimed to assess national trends in prescription volumes, drug expenditures, and the pharmacoeconomic rationality of small-molecule targeted inhibitors used for lymphoma treatment among outpatients in China between 2016 and 2022.

Outpatient prescription data for patients diagnosed with lymphoma were obtained from the Hospital Prescription Analysis Cooperative Project database, which includes 77 hospitals distributed across six major regions of China. Annual trends in prescription volume and corresponding drug expenditures were examined. Pharmacoeconomic indicators associated with small-molecule targeted inhibitors were further analyzed to evaluate their cost-effectiveness and utilization patterns. Patient demographic characteristics, regional distribution, and categories of small-molecule targeted inhibitors were also analyzed.

Prescription volumes and amounts for small-molecule targeted inhibitors in lymphoma treatment have increased annually. Furthermore, their use is supported by pharmacoeconomic evidence indicating rational and efficient medication utilization. There was a statistically significant increase in total prescriptions (P

1
< 0.005) and overall medication expenditures (P

2
< 0.005).

Between 2016 and 2022, the prescription volume of small-molecule targeted inhibitors for lymphoma increased annually, indicating their expanding clinical use. Since 2020, despite continued growth in prescriptions, drug costs have risen at a slower rate than prescriptions. This reflects that medical insurance negotiation and centralized procurement policies have effectively reduced economic burden without limiting their access to these inhibitors. Pharmacoeconomic indicators also confirm that the use of these drugs has been both reasonable and efficient, allowing for increased drug utilization while reducing financial strain.