The use of single arm trials has become more widespread, especially as the COVID-19 has forced clinical trials to change or end early. An alternative approach is the use of synthetic control arms (SCAs), arms that can be created using Bayesian Dynamic Borrowing. In this method, data from patients […]
New Report Details How SDOH Impact Access to Prescription Drugs
In a recent report, CoverMyMeds discusses how SDOH (social determinants of health) are associated with many patients being forced to make difficult choices when it comes to their health. The COVID-19 pandemic has made these choices even more challenging as more Americans become uninsured or […]
6 Recommendations Regarding HTAs in the United States
A whitepaper was recently released by researchers at the USC Schaeffer Center and the Aspen Institute. The authors discuss half a dozen recommendations relating to HTAs (Health Technology Assessments) in the United States, which could lead to changes in the pricing of prescription drugs. […]
A Conversation with Peter Pitts on Drug Pricing and Medicare
In a recent podcast by Patients Rising Podcast, the hosts spoke with Peter Pitts. He co-founded and is currently president of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest. He’s also served as Associate Commissioner for External Relations for the FDA, written a book on successful leadership, and […]
Outcry Over Nick Jonas in Super Bowl Commercial for Dexcom
Type 1 Diabetics typically check their blood glucose levels by pricking their finger with a needle to obtain a small blood sample. Insulin injections regulate this blood glucose level, but can cause significant financial hardship. In a Super Bowl commercial for Dexcom, Nick Jonas promoted an […]
Will a Committee Lead to Reduced Drug Prices in the United States?
Will a Committee Lead to Reduced Drug Prices in the United States The idea of an independent review board to regulate drug prices is gaining ground. Although pharmaceutical companies protest such a committee, pointing at lost innovation, many in the US support a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) […]
New PhRMA Report Details Role of Hospitals in High Drug Costs
A recent PhRMA discusses how hospitals contribute to the high prices of drugs in the United States. Typically, pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies, and patients are discussed in the context of high prices, not hospitals. However, depending on whether or not patients receive medication from […]
Insight Regarding RWE, RWD and COVID-19
In a recent conversation with Jeff Elton, CEO of ConcertAI, he discussed changes to the pharmeceutical industry resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Both RWE (real world evidence) and RWD (real world data) provide remarkable insight regarding patient care and outcomes. RWE provides a possible […]
Do COVID-19 Vaccine Manufacturers Worry Over Pricing Language in Contracts?
Despite objections by pharmaceutical companies against price regulations, at least three major companies agreed to such terms in the context of COVID-19 vaccine contracts. Although the COVID-19 constitutes an unexpected situation, these contracts set a precedent for future agreements regarding price […]
How Will the United States Address High Drug Prices?
American legislators are frustrated by high drug prices. In addition to financial distress from medication payments, some patients resort to modifying their medication dosages. Now, both Democrats and Republican around the country are sponsoring bills to limit these drug prices, rather than waiting […]
CPE Webinar on COVID-19 Treatments and Vaccines
A webinar will take place on Thursday, February 25th from 2-3 PM ET. This free webinar will cover newly developed therapies to treat patients with COVID-19, as well as adapting previously developed drugs to COVID-19. Vaccine distribution will also be discussed. “This session will review the most […]
Case Study Shows Power of RWE
A new case study from Cardinal Health highlights the value of RWE (real world evidence) in clinical trials. This RWE data helped a biopharmaceutical company speed up the FDA approval process for their product. “See how experts from our Real-World Evidence and Insights team helped a […]
Changes for BresMed and Cello
In 2020, private equity firm Arsenal Capital Partners acquired BresMed and Cello, two independent biopharma companies. Now, BresMed and Cello will combine to offer unique solutions to their clients. These companies have experience in health economic and outcomes research and in advising global […]
The Positive Impact of COVID-19 on Clinical Trials
Although COVID-19 has resulted in many negative consequences, it has also brought about some useful changes in the drug development and clinical trial space. Patients who faced barriers to clinical trial enrollment have been able to participate—especially in instances where remote data is collected, […]
New Report Improves Health of Market Access Teams
The success of a product requires many resources and a dedicated team. It also requires contingency plans if one small piece fails. A new eBook details how you and your team can be successful in areas relating to patient support and managing data. “Just as patients are encouraged to get annual […]
Growing Support for HTA in Light of High Gene Therapy Costs
An independent review board, such as ICER, responsible for assessing appropriate costs for therapies and drugs has been discussed for years. Calls for such a health technology assessment board (HTA) are increasing as many note that novel cell and gene-based therapies, while many times effective, are […]
ICER Releases Draft Evidence Report for Several Multiple Myeloma Therapies: Will These Drugs Prevent Relapse?
ICER has released a report on three therapies for multiple myeloma: belantamab mafodotin blmf from Blenrep™ and GlaxoSmithKline, idecabtagene vicleucel from Bristol-Myers Squibb and bluebird bio, and ciltacabtagene autoleucel from Janssen and Legend biotech. Belantamab mafodotin blmf is an antibody […]
COVID-19 News: Eli Lilly Drug Receives FDA Emergency Authorization; Drug Pricing Language in COVID-19 Bill
Two recent developments related to COVID-19 are a new drug approval and a relief bill containing a drug pricing proposal. A combination therapy of two antibodies from Eli Lilly has been shown to be effective in reducing hospitalization and death rates from COVID-19. These two drugs (bamlanivimab and […]
Value Communications in 2021: Where can we improve?
HealthEconomics.Com is seeking at least 300 global respondents our 2021 Value Communications survey. Developing, assessing and communicating the value of pharmaceuticals and medical devices is essential, but there are few training programs or standards. The 2021 Value Communications survey objective […]
A $10 Drug Price Increase Is Correlated with Higher Mortality Rate of 33%
A new study reveals that even a small increase in prescription drug prices—of only $10—can lead to higher mortality rates. They note that a price increase of 34%, equivalent to $10.40, was associated with a 33% increase in mortality rate. The article explores possible solutions to reducing this cost […]
CBO Paper Details Future Impact of ICER
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) put out a draft of a paper where it notes calculations regarding Medicare drug prices. Notably, reports from ICER (Institute for Clinical and Economic Review) hold substantial weight. Should the federal government move to regulate drug prices, this institution […]
Transforming the COVID-19 Pandemic Into a Business
Thanks to widespread efforts to develop tools against COVID-19, several effective vaccines now exist. Still, data remain unclear regarding the frequency of possible booster shots and if current vaccines will require modifications in order to be effective against COVID-19 variants. The prices of […]
How Can Biden Lower Drug Costs Without Impacting Innovation?
A recent article explores why drug prices are so high in the United States and delves into solutions that would reduce prices without affecting the rapid pace of progress. Independent review boards could be the answer. Although ICER (Institute for Clinical and Economic Review) releases reviews with […]
Designing Clinical Trials During COVID-19 ERA
The ongoing pandemic has led to chaos in many industries, including in clinical trial design. The use of RWE (real world evidence) might be one solution for upended trials and incomplete data. A recent article details these challenges and how RWE can be used to make important decisions in the […]
How Should COVID-19 Vaccines Be Priced?
The US government has entered into contracts with several pharmaceutical companies to deliver COVID-19 vaccines. Although it is currently not clear how long immunity from these vaccines will last and if booster shots will be needed, vaccination efforts have provided much-needed hope. However, […]
[Whitepaper] Understanding and Using SDOH Data
SDOH (social determinants of health) data can be incredibly valuable. While these data can be immensely useful in reducing medical costs and in improving outcomes, it can be difficult to actually use these data. A new whitepaper provides insight on understanding and processing SDOH data. “Based […]
The Battle for FDA Commissioner
Advocacy groups are concerned that Acting Commissioner Janet Woodcock will become FDA Commissioner under the Biden administration, stating that she has contributed to the opioid epidemic. She also overruled a recommendation against dubious Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy drug eteplirsen, a decision that […]
Pros and Cons of Newsom’s Vaccine Distributer Pick
California Governor Newsom picked Blue Shield of California to distribute COVID-19 vaccines in an emergency authorization process. The role of Blue Shield is to serve as a centralized distributor for the state, rather than the alternative approach of each county being responsible for its own vaccine […]
Matthew McHugh Appointed Director for Health Outcomes and Policy Research
Matthew McHugh is taking on a new role as Director for Health Outcomes and Policy Research (CHOPR) at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. This highly regarded evidence-based program makes decisions based on patient care and outcomes. McHugh’s previous roles were as Independence Chair […]
Remdesivir Effective and Profitable for Gilead – And Controversial
Antiviral remdesivir had been developed before the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, but was rather unsuccessful as a treatment for either Ebola or hepatitis C. Early on in the pandemic, remdesivir faced substantial controversy regarding its effectiveness. Now, it’s widely regarded as a tool to […]
