According to a recent Ernst & Young study, future success in launching and selling new drugs will increasing depend upon the Company's ability to "show value" for its product -- i.e. comparative effectiveness. This recognizes the increasing reality that to be successful -- you don't only need regulatory approval (FDA, EMEA, etc) but also it is critical that you get 3rd party payer approval in a timely manner to support launch. Otherwise, you can look forward to lagging sales -- which can lead to a dramatic collapse in stock price and threaten a "one-hit" wonder Company's very existence. See Dendreon's Provenge as a poster child for this effect -- though there are others like HGS' Benlysta.
PharmTech Talk » Biotech Needs to Focus on Demonstrating Product Value.
Curiously, the E&Y study found that small and mid-size biotech's in particular seemed blind to this possibility. While 94% agreed that it is “important” or “very important” for biotech companies to have a strategic focus on matters of evidence. most companies indicated that they are unlikely to undertake specific evidence-focused initiatives. Of the respondents who rated evidence measures as “important” or “very important,” 11% have added payer/reimbursement expertise to their management teams, 13% have brought such expertise to their clinical development teams and only 4% have included people with such expertise in their boards of directors.
E&Y advised biotech companies to debunk any myths that are holding them back, stressing that the shift to evidence is happening faster than anticipated, and it will affect companies regardless of their size, maturity or disease focus
You know what they say about failure to learn from history and impending doom to repeat it?
Posted by Bruce Lehr Apr 26th 2013.

