Three Perspectives on the Impact of Comparative Effectiveness Research on Decision Making
In a special supplement to the May 2012 Journal of Managed Care Pharmacy, National Pharmaceutical Council Chief Science Officer Robert W. Dubois, MD, PhD, takes a closer look at comparative effectiveness research (CER) and its implications for the pharmaceutical industry.
In his article, "Looking at CER From the Pharmaceutical Industry Perspective," Dr. Dubois makes several points:
In a special supplement to the May 2012 Journal of Managed Care Pharmacy, National Pharmaceutical Council Chief Science Officer Robert W. Dubois, MD, PhD, takes a closer look at comparative effectiveness research (CER) and its implications for the pharmaceutical industry.
In his article, "Looking at CER From the Pharmaceutical Industry Perspective," Dr. Dubois makes several points:
- As CER data proliferate, questions are being raised about who can access the data, who can discuss it, and in what forums. Regulations place different communication restrictions on the pharmaceutical industry than on other health care stakeholders, which creates a potential inequality.
- Another CER consideration will be the tendency to apply average results to individuals, even if not every individual experiences the average result.
- Policy makers should implement CER findings carefully with a goal toward accommodating flexibility.
- A final impact to consider is whether greater expectations for CER will have a negative or positive effect on incentives for drug innovation. In some cases, CER may increase development costs or decrease market size. In other cases, better targeting of trial populations could result in lower development costs.
Dubois’ article is one of four articles based on a live symposium, "Three Perspectives on the Impact of Comparative Effectiveness Research," which was presented as a satellite symposium at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy 2011 Educational Conference. The companion articles, in addition to Dr. Dubois’, include:
- An Introduction by Diana I. Brixner, RPh, PhD, and Gary Oderda, PharmD, MPH
- Looking at CER from Medicare’s Perspective, by Penny Mohr, MA
- Looking at CER from the Managed Care Organization Perspective, by H. Eric Cannon, PharmD, FAMCP
Physicians and pharmacists can earn continuing medical education (CME) and continuing education (CE) credits for completing the learning objectives and educational activities related to these articles.