Today we have a lot of chatter about Comparative Effectiveness data (or lack thereof) in blogland. This seems to be one of the hottest buzz topics in healthcare reform and even in design of new clinical trials. It seems especially pertinent that drug makers are being asked to show that their shiny new drug is better than that old standby drug when it comes to Medicaid (or other government payers) or other third party payers shelling out big bucks for the newbie drug on the block - especially in this time of healthcare reform and cost reductions pressure.
As we shall see in the following posts, several studies have pointed out the current flaws with lack of available comparative effectiveness data and well as its actual impact this year on healthcare policy decisions. We will also see the first "poster-child" comparative effectiveness study results/conclusions from the Roche/Genetech versus itself with Lucentis vs Avastin results for the treatment of macular degeneration. It seems the [vastly] more expensive Lucentis performs no better than the cheaper Avastin. Oops. : (
As Chicago might sing "This is only the beginning"
Posted by Bruce Lehr May 3rd 2011.
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