NPC Commends Senate Finance Committee Chairman Baucus for Comparative Effectiveness Research Provisions in Chairman's Mark

Washington, DC. (September 16, 2009) – The National Pharmaceutical Council (NPC) commended U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus for his commitment to comparative effectiveness research (CER), which was outlined in the chairman’s mark of the America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009 that was unveiled today.

“A well-crafted comparative effectiveness research program like the one outlined in the chairman’s mark can help to support the dialogue between health care providers and patients, and further enhance the quality and value of patient care,” said NPC President Dan Leonard. “That in turn can help keep Americans healthier, improve their quality of life, and even increase productivity through fewer sick days and hospital stays.”

A key component of the chairman’s mark includes the establishment of a private, non-profit corporation to set the research agenda and conduct CER and to be governed by a multi-stakeholder board. As outlined by the mark, CER would encompass all health care services; be rigorous and transparent; consider the needs of subpopulations; and utilize a full range of types and sources of evidence. In addition, the proposed CER entity would provide evidence to encourage good decision making by health care professionals and patients, and would be required to disseminate study results in a timely manner. All of these points were espoused by NPC in its comments submitted earlier this year 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 addition, by establishing a standing methodology committee, the chairman’s mark acknowledges the importance of rigorous scientific methods needed to conduct CER, noted Leonard.

“We commend Chairman Baucus for developing a thoughtful approach to CER that will improve on the evidence currently available to health care providers and patients. Even more important, there is a clear commitment to ensuring that CER will not be used to deny patients access to necessary treatments,” concluded 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. As a research and education organization, NPC does not take positions on legislation.

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