Lancaster University is taking applications for its online Health Economics at Lancaster (HEAL) program. The two-year program offers blended online learning regarding health economics theory and research. The program is well-regarded globally and the graduate employment rate is excellent. Lancaster […]
How Will States Tackle Unsupported Price Increases?
ICER’s report on UPIs (Unsupported Price Increases) has led lawmakers to consider legislative measures to restrict the prices of prescription drugs. Hawaii and Washington legislators recently proposed high taxes to curb unjustified price increases. The NASHP (National Academy for State Health […]
New Ciox Health and HealthVerity Partnership Utilizes COVID-19 RWD
Ciox Health and HealthVerity will partner to conduct a unique clinical trial using RWD (real world data). One source of the RWD will be deidentified COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial data. The use of RWD and RWE (real world evidence) could improve clinical trial efficiency while reducing […]
New Book on Pharma Market Access Now Available
A new book by Kasem Akhras, PharmD, is now available on Amazon, both as a physical book and as an eBook. The book features insight into pharmaceutical market access when it comes to navigating emerging markets. It also provides solutions for your team and highlights the challenges faced in local […]
Scientist.com Named Among Top 500 Fastest-Growing Companies in The Americas, Number 12 in Health Category According to The Financial Times
Scientist.com, the parent company of HealthEconomics.Com, has been recognized as number 132 of the top 500 Fastest Growing Companies in North and South America. It grew by an astounding 513 percent between 2016 and 2019. In the Health category, Scientist.com was classified as number 12. Dr. Kevin […]
New Webinar on RWE and Clinical Trials Now Available
HealthVerity is offering a new webinar on understanding the value of RWE (real world evidence). In addition to reducing the risk of expensive clinical trials, RWE can also inform post-market decisions. RWE and HEOR (health economics and outcome research) experts share their thoughts on trends when […]
Whitepaper Discusses How Informatics Platforms Streamline R&D
A new whitepaper discusses how the life sciences industry can improve research and development by using informatics platforms. The whitepaper discusses when it’s appropriate to use such a solution. There are many different competitors, but some shine above the rest in improving efficiency. “As […]
Johns Hopkins Surgeon Discusses Soaring Healthcare Costs and Possible Solutions
In a recent podcast, Johns Hopkins surgical oncologist Marty Makary discusses how high costs affect patient care, the choice doctors make between paperwork and time spent with patients, and possible solutions. Dr. Makary notes that healthcare reform legislation and new technological advances could […]
Bipartisan Lawmakers Urge Action Over Hospital Pricing Noncompliance
In an effort to reduce healthcare costs, a new ruling mandates that hospitals be transparent about the prices they charge for their services. Some healthcare facilities have not complied with the ruling, such as by making it difficult to access prices online. At the same time, the cost of a […]
Bundled Payment Healthcare Program Saves Over $16,000 per Procedure and Leads to 75% Lower Readmission Rate
Carrum Health led a bundled payment program, resulting in substantial savings when it comes to the cost of surgical and orthopedic procedures. A RAND Corporation analysis noted that patients undergoing these procedures saved over $16,000 per episode. Additionally, bariatric surgery outcomes greatly […]
Are They Really Orphans? New Report Highlights Misuse of Orphan Drug Designation Driving High Prices
A study recently published in Health Affairs examines whether or not orphan drugs fit the criteria allowing them special privileges with the FDA. The authors report widespread misclassification, leading to excessively high prices. A quarter of 2017 drug spending in the US came from these so-called […]
New ISPOR Good Practices Report Includes Guidelines for Cost Analyses
ISPOR has released a new report on how to conduct systematic reviews with cost and cost-effectiveness outcomes (SRs-CCEOs). Mandrik et al. suggest that a standardized methodology, although challenging, would improve study design and data interpretation. The report includes six recommendations on […]
PhRMA Kicks Off New Agenda, Including Endorsement of Drug Pricing Reforms
National lobbying group PhRMA introduced a new agenda this week with a pointed message at the White House: pharma has been instrumental in accelerating COVID-19 therapeutic efforts. It has also expressed support for drug pricing reform bills, a surprising move that is expected to reduce profits for […]
ICER Publishes Methodology on Evaluating Unsupported Drug Price Increases
ICER has released a protocol detailing how it analyses UPIs (Unsupported Price Increases) for prescription drugs in the United States. ICER also welcomes input from the public when it comes to choosing drugs for evidence review and analyzing price increases, as well as from manufacturers. ICER had […]
ISPOR Europe’s Issue Panels and Workshops Open for Abstract Submissions
ISPOR Europe 2021 will take place virtually at the beginning of December. Its Issue Panels and Workshop sessions are currently taking abstract submissions on HEOR (health economics and outcomes research) until June 10th. Notifications regarding the outcome of these abstracts will be issued on July […]
How Will Coming HHS Interoperability Mandate Affect Payer’s Market Access?
A new interoperability mandate will take effect in July 2021 and is expected to shift how data can be shared. Data will be required to be more easily accessed and shared across platforms and among payers. This ruling is expected to make waves in healthcare and some payers have expressed concerns. […]
Understanding the Expanded Role of the Medical Affairs Professional
Medical affairs professionals are responsible for representing their organizations and clearly conveying important information. In some cases, they can also gather, interpret, and communicate relevant information. In a recent conversation with two medical affairs leaders, they discuss how medical […]
ICER to Consider Aetion RWE in Revision of Hereditary Angioedema Therapy Report
ICER (the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review) has announced its decision to utilize RWE (real world evidence) data in its evaluation of three therapies (lanadelumab, Haegarda, and Cinryze) for use in preventing hereditary angioedema attacks. It will revise its 2018 report based on these data […]
The Patient Side of Successful Drug Development
More and more, patient opinions are being considered when it comes to designing effective therapeutics and testing their efficacy. A new ebook focuses on when and how patient feedback should be obtained during the drug development pipeline. It includes insights from leading pharma professionals on […]
ICER Announces Final Evidence Report for FibroGen’s Roxadustat, Uncertainties Linger
ICER has released a final evidence report for roxadustat, along with policy recommendations. Cardiovascular risks were one of the concerns surrounding the drug, which is designed to treat anemia in the context of chronic kidney disease. CTAF (California Technology Assessment Forum) members voted […]
Whitepaper on Field Medical Engagement During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Following the annual MAPS (Medical Affairs Professional Society) meeting, select members formed a group to discuss key challenges related to medical affairs and Field Medical roles. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has led to substantial challenges when it comes to acquiring and retaining talent, some […]
Virtual ISPOR 2021 Prerelease Session on HTAs in Clinical Trial Design
ISPOR will take place virtually from May 17th to 20th. Prerelease sessions will be available beginning on April 21st and available until June 30th, along with recordings from the conference. In a prerelease session moderated by Dr. Donna Messner, President and CEO of the Center for Medical […]
Medical Affairs Podcast on Corporate Alliance Management
MAPS (Medical Affairs Professional Society) is offering an on-demand podcast featuring insight from professionals with experience as medical strategists, as MSLs (medical science liaisons), in pharma, and as independent consultants. Depending on the structure and size of an organization, the role of […]
Webinar on New Performance Metric for Medical Affairs: Share of Scientific Voice
MAPS (Medical Affairs Professional Society) is offering a webinar discussing SoSV (Share of Scientific Voice), a single metric used to characterize both performance metrics and scientific impact. This metric represents a significant advance in generating evidence and clearly conveying […]
Considerations and Challenges for RWD Include Data Matching and Security
HealthVerity discusses several challenges when it comes to using deidentified patient data. Although using patient information can provide unique insight, it can be time-consuming to wade through the different types and sources of RWD (real world data). At the same time, data security must remain a […]
ICER To Review Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Drug
ICER has announced its intention to review mavacamten, a drug for use in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The Draft Scoping Document is receiving comments from the public until April 29th while a CTAF (California Technology Assessment Forum) meeting will take place in October 2021. “The Institute for […]
MAPS Mentorship Program Seeking Medical Affairs Mentors and Mentees
MAPS (Medical Affairs Professional Society) is offering a second round of mentorship for 2021 following a successful first round. This round will take place between July 19th and December 10th. Medical affairs leaders are paired with early-career professionals to improve their knowledge, enhance and […]
AMCP Offers Two Virtual Corporate Training Events to Enhance Knowledge of Medicare and PIE Strategies
The AMCP (Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy) will offer two virtual events designed to address knowledge gaps for leaders in life sciences companies. The first event will take place on April 28th, from 1-5 PM ET and will cover the intricacies of the Medicare Star Rating program. The second training […]
Thomas Jefferson University Offers Health Data Science Program
The Jefferson College of Population Health (JCPH) offers a program in Health Data Science. It also offers a short webinar introducing population health concepts to clinicians and other healthcare professionals. Live and on-demand sessions are available for individuals seeking to learn more about […]
Healthcare Spending in Massachusetts Increases, Drug Spending Largest Source of Growth
Massachusetts healthcare spending increased for the second year. Pharmacy services, hospital inpatient, hospital outpatient, and physician services all increased in 2019. Notably, prescription drug spending increased by 7.2 percent in 2019, making it the largest area of growth. “Hospital […]
