Real-world evidence for coverage decisions: opportunities and challenges

In this white paper, explore the current uses of real-world evidence (RWE) in the US healthcare system and learn about various opportunities that could be realized through best use of RWE.

The capacity of the US healthcare system to generate and interpret large amounts of data is advancing exponentially. Computer learning, natural language processing and the evolution of electronic health records (EHRs) are revolutionizing potential availability and interpretability of real-world data to improve health. Patient wearables (such as Fitbits and the Apple Watch) and additional social media sources of data (such as Facebook and Twitter) are providing new functionality, and can, in principle, contribute to a much richer and larger dataset for predictive purposes. It is crucial that developers of innovative products and the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) community understand the potential for real-world evidence (RWE) to inform coverage decisions and price negotiations.

In this white paper, researchers from the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (MA, USA) and the Office of Health Economics (London, UK) explore the current uses of RWE in the US healthcare system, summarize key concerns that have been raised in this area and identify various opportunities that could be realized through best use of RWE for coverage decisions.

Read the full white paper, for free, in the Journal of Comparative effectiveness research>>