Comparative Effectiveness Research Can Enhance Quality, Value of Patient Care
Washington, DC. (September 10, 2009) – In response to President Obama’s health care reform address to Congress, National Pharmaceutical Council (NPC) President Dan Leonard said comparative effectiveness research (CER) should not be overlooked as a way to improve physician decision making and ultimately, the quality of patient care.
“First, we commend President Obama for his commitment to improving America’s health care system. It is a challenging task, given the complexity of the health care system, the rise in the prevalence of chronic conditions, and our aging population.
“Second, given the $1.1 billion allocated earlier this year for comparative effectiveness research, it clearly should be an integral part of any health care reform package. As the debate moves forward in Congress, it is important for the federal government to support the dialogue between health care providers and patients, and thus enhance the quality and value of patient care, through a well-crafted comparative effectiveness research program.
“We look forward to continued discussions on this important issue and to the thoughtful examination of key issues and approaches that might be considered.”
Earlier this year, NPC submitted comments to the Institute of Medicine’s CER Priority Setting Committee, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research, which was responsible for developing a definition, criteria for research, and a strategic framework for CER. In its comments, NPC said that CER should provide evidence to encourage good decision making by health care professionals and patients; encompass all health care services; be rigorous and transparent; consider the needs of subpopulations; utilize a full range of types and sources of evidence; and disseminate study results in a timely manner.
NPC is supportive of the commitment to CER included in the health care framework released earlier this week by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus. An important component of the health care framework includes a not-for profit institute to set the research agenda and conduct CER and to be governed by a multi-stakeholder board. “Like all interested parties, NPC looks forward to seeing final legislation from the Senate encompassing all of these considerations,” said Leonard.
NPC also has developed a CER toolkit that provides an overview of CER definitions, its history, and legislation currently under consideration. The toolkit is available in the issues section of NPC’s website, www.npcnow.org, under “evidence-based medicine.”
About the National Pharmaceutical Council
NPC’s overarching mission is to sponsor and conduct scientific analyses of the appropriate use of biopharmaceuticals and the clinical and economic value of innovation. The organization’s strategic focus is on evidence-based medicine (EBM) for health care decision-making, to ensure that patients have access to high-quality care. NPC was established in 1953 and is supported by the nation’s major research-based pharmaceutical companies.
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