Italy: Enabling rapid funding decisions

In Italy, funding for CAR T-cell therapy and associated care must be approved by regional authorities.¹⁵⁶ For patients referred to treatment centers outside of their home region, approvals must be obtained from authorities in the referring and receiving region, with costs ultimately billed to the patient’s home region.¹⁵⁵ This process is time-consuming and can lead to delays, which can negatively impact patient eligibility and outcomes.¹⁵⁵

In Lombardy, regional authorities promise funding decisions within 24 hours and cover procedure costs for out-of-region patients at regional CAR T-cell therapy centers if the home region refuses payment.¹⁵⁵ While not every region will have adequate resources to take this approach, it helps to minimize treatment delays and facilitate access to CAR T-cell therapy for eligible patients, regardless of their region of residence.