CADTH Provisional Funding Algorithms

1. About Provisional Funding Algorithms 

The provisional algorithm process is used to provide advice to drug programs when they have indicated that there is need to establish an appropriate place in therapy for new oncology drugs relative to alternative treatments that are currently reimbursed by the drug programs. The process ascertains the impact of new therapies on the sequencing of treatments for the purposes of reimbursement (e.g., should reimbursing a new drug result in a shift or a displacement of other available treatments). While broad in scope, funding algorithms are focused on reimbursement decision-making; they are not treatment algorithms or guidelines and do not fully detail the clinical management of cancer patients.

CADTH will initiate the development of a provisional algorithm in the following instances:

• following issuance of a recommendation in favour of the reimbursement of a drug with the potential to impact the existing funding algorithm for the indication of interest; or
• when new evidence that may disrupt the sequencing of drugs is identified; and
• when the participating drug programs indicate that a provisional algorithm is required for implementation purposes.

Please review the Procedures for CADTH Reimbursement Reviews for complete details.

2. Contribute

CADTH issues a call for stakeholder input at the time the provisional algorithm project is initiated and seeks stakeholder feedback on the draft provisional algorithm. The following stakeholders are eligible to contribute: patient groups, clinician groups, the participating drug programs, and drug manufacturers whose products may be directly impacted by the provisional algorithm.

Open calls for input and feedback are highlighted in the CADTH Weekly Update and instructions for contributing are provided below.

2.1 Initial Input on a Provisional Funding Algorithm Project

To provide initial input at the outset of the provisional algorithm project:

• Locate the webpage for provisional algorithm project of interest from the CADTH Weekly Update or the list of current opportunities for input and feedback.
• Review the proposed project scope for the provisional algorithm.
• Download the stakeholder input template.
• Complete the template by the deadline specified on the project webpage.
• Send the completed template by clicking Submit Feedback on the project webpage.

2.2 Stakeholder Feedback on a Draft Provisional Funding Algorithm

To provide stakeholder feedback on a draft provisional algorithm report:

• Locate the webpage for provisional algorithm project of interest from the CADTH Weekly Update or the list of current opportunities for input and feedback.
• Review the draft provisional funding algorithm report.
• Download the stakeholder feedback template.
• Complete the template by the deadline specified on the project webpage.
• Send the completed template by Submit Feedback on the project webpage.

3. CADTH Provisional Funding Algorithm Projects

Updates on CADTH provisional funding algorithms are posted to this page. Reports are searchable and freely available to anyone to use, download, or print for non-commercial and personal use, or private research and study, provided you do not modify them, and appropriate credit is given to CADTH.