E.V.I.dently
October 2009
Vol. 1, No. 7

Message From NPC

In this month’s message, Dr. Les Paul, NPC Vice President for Clinical and Scientific Affairs, takes a look at how personalized medicine and comparative effectiveness research can work together, particularly in the treatment of breast cancer. MORE

EBM Research and Issues

Highlights from NPC/PMC Conference

Comparative effectiveness research and personalized medicine can work together to deliver quality care that improves patient outcomes, though much more work is ahead to ensure alignment of these two important scientific movements, emphasized speakers at an Oct. 28 conference sponsored by the National Pharmaceutical Council and the Personalized Medicine Coalition. MORE

Senate Finance Committee Approves Health Care Reform Bill

Earlier this month, the Senate Finance Committee voted 14-9 to approve the “America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009.” Among changes to Medicare, Medicaid and the health care insurance system, the Act also would establish a private, non-profit corporation, the “Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute,” to assist patients, clinicians, purchasers, and policy makers in making health decisions by advancing the quality and relevance of clinical evidence. MORE

Health Technology Assessment Group News

AHRQ Issues Funding Opportunity Announcements for Comparative Effectiveness Research

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) recently issued two funding opportunity announcements for comparative effectiveness research. The first, RFA-HS-10-003, Clinical and Health Outcomes Initiative in Comparative Effectiveness (CHOICE) Grants (R01), is supported by $100 million in funds; the second, RFA-HS-10-004, Innovative Adaption and Dissemination of AHRQ Comparative Effectiveness Research Products (iADAPT) (R18), is supported by $29.5 million in funds provided under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. MORE

New Rules Protect Patients’ Genetic Information

The U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and the Treasury on October 1 issued new regulations to protect and help ensure that an individual’s genetic information is not used adversely in determining health care coverage. The interim final rule aims to encourage more individuals to participate in genetic testing, which can help better identify and prevent certain illnesses while allowing scientists to develop new medicines, treatments, and therapies. MORE

AHRQ Seeks Nominations for National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality

AHRQ is seeking nominations for seven new public members for its National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality, which advises the Secretary of HHS and the Director of AHRQ on matters related to actions of the Agency to improve the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care for all Americans. Nominations are due November 20. For further information, view the Federal Register notice at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-24306.htm.

Health & Productivity Issues

JOEM Study Chosen for DMAA Award

DMAA: The Care Continuum Alliance has singled out an NPC-funded study on health and productivity management in the April issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine for its 2009 Population Health Improvement Leadership Award for Outstanding Journal Article. MORE

In Other News

Revised AMCP Format for Formulary Submissions Released

The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) and Foundation for Managed Care Pharmacy (FMCP) unveiled a revised Format for Formulary Submissions in early October. The Format provides a template for managed care organizations to request pharmaceutical manufacturer-prepared submissions of drug products for consideration by pharmacy and therapeutics (P&T) committees and other decision-making bodies. MORE

Events

NPC President Moderates Panel at Aspen Institute Health Forum

At the Aspen Institute Health forum on October 14 in Washington, D.C., NPC President Dan Leonard moderated a panel discussion, “Personalizing Each Patient,” which took a closer look at the impact comparative effectiveness research could have on individual patient care. During the discussion, which featured Phyllis E. Greenberger, President and CEO of the Society of Women’s Health Research; Marc Boutin, Executive Vice President of the National Health Council; Dan Smith, President of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network; and Dr. Robert Honigberg, Former Chief Medical Office of GE Healthcare, panelists emphasized the need for patient-centered care and the importance of studying subpopulations. MORE

NPC’s Dr. Paul Speaks at IIR Value-Driven Pharma Summit

Dr. Les Paul, NPC Vice President for Clinical and Scientific Affairs, delivered a speech on “Practical Personalized Medicine - When Will It Arrive and Its Implications For Stakeholders?” and participated in a discussion on “Linking Evidence Based Medicine Reimbursement to Future Innovations” at the IIR Value-Driven Pharma Summit in Washington, D.C. MORE

Visit NPC’s Exhibit Booth at the NBCH Conference

If you are planning to attend the National Business Council on Health’s 14th Annual Conference on November 8-10 in Scottsdale, Arizona, be sure to stop by NPC’s exhibit booth. You’ll find copies of the latest NPC research, including the award-winning “Health and Productivity as a Business Strategy.” For details, http://www.nbch.org/events/conference.cfm.

Research / Impact of Comparative Effectiveness Research on Pharmaceutical Innovation

New investments in comparative effectiveness research (CER) – including $1.1 billion in stimulus funding – raise important questions about how CER will shape the marketplace for new healthcare technologies. What impact will publicly funded CER have on commercialization of new treatment options and the therapies already available to patients? How can policymakers build a CER infrastructure that recognizes and promotes innovation? What should industry do to help shape the CER enterprise?

New research – to be released at Avalere Health’s upcoming event, Bridge the Gap / Proving the Value of Healthcare Innovation – presents a novel framework that industry can use to determine the potential impact of CER on innovation. Join us November 17 in Washington, D.C., to hear the results of the paper, which was sponsored by the National Pharmaceutical Council. To register, go to www.avalerehealth.net.