March 2005

 

  

ISPOR e-BULLETIN provides updates of recent ISPOR activities and events. For detailed information on ISPOR activities, members are encouraged to go to www.ispor.org.

 

Please share these new ISPOR activities with your colleagues.

 

NEW THIS MONTH

 

**NEW**    ISPOR 10^th Annual International Meeting (over 600 contributed presentations)

**NEW**    ISPOR Comments on Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Event Record Data Elements

**NEW**    RCT-CEA Task Force Issues Best Practices

**NEW**    2005 ISPOR Board of Directors Candidates

**NEW**    The Real World Task Force Working Groups Get Real!

**NEW**    ISPOR CONNECTIONS Vol. 11, Issue 1 now online

**NEW**    13 New Positions At The ISPOR Website

**NEW**    Special Interest Groups (SIG) Take Action!

  **NEW**    ISPOR Asia Consortium Executive and Advisory Committees Formed

  **NEW**    ISPOR 2^nd Asia-Pacific Conference, Shanghai, China, March 2006

 

ISPOR ONGOING ACTIVITIES

 

1.       Publications

2.       Meetings and Congresses

3.       Educational Activities

4.       Student News

5.       ISPOR Special Interest Groups

6.       Committee and Task Force Activities

7.       Hot Topics

8.       Important Dates to Remember

8.       Asia Consortium and Local Chapter News

10.    Employment in Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research

11.    Membership

 

1. PUBLICATIONS

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VALUE IN HEALTH

 

Value in Health: Volume 8, Issue 2, March/April 2005 will be available online this month at: http://www.ispor.org/valueinhealth_index.asp. 

 

Featured in this Issue… 

THE RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME QUALITY OF LIFE QUESTIONNAIRE ACCURATELY MEASURES THE IMPACT OF SUFFERING FROM RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME (RLS) ON QUALITY OF LIFE  

Linda Abetz, Susan M. Vallow, Jeff Kirsch, Richard P. Allen, Tinna Washburn, Christopher J. Earley,  

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), an overwhelming urge to move the legs due to uncomfortable sensations in the legs, often causes sleep disturbance, which leads to daytime tiredness or fatigue. Since the impact of this condition on quality of life (QoL) is personal and subjective, it is best measured by asking the patients themselves about how it affects their lives.  As a result, the Restless Leg Syndrome Quality of Life (RLSQoL) questionnaire was developed to measure the effects of RLS on patients’ sleep, emotional well-being, social life, and work life.  RLSQoL answers can be used to calculate a single score ranging from 0-100, representing the impact of RLS on a person’s QoL.  In a study to be published in Value in Health in March/April 2005, Abetz et al. analysed the RLSQoL scores of 85 adults in the U.S. to assess whether the RLSQoL provides an appropriate and accurate measure of the impact of RLS on QoL.  Abetz et al found that the questions in the RLSQoL measure related, but different, aspects of the same underlying concept.  It was also found that a person’s questionnaire score generally only changes when the impact of RLS on QoL has changed.  RLSQoL scores were different for people with mild, moderate, and severe symptoms, with greater impact on QoL for people with more severe RLS.  Abetz et al. have shown that the RLSQoL questionnaire can be reliably used to assess the impact of RLS on patients’ lives.

 

THE INTERPRETATION OF HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE (HRQL) SCORES IS ENHANCED BY IDENTIFYING THE MINIMALLY IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE (MID)

 

Kathleen J. Yost, Mark V. Sorensen, Elizabeth A. Hahn, G. Alastair Glendenning, Ari Gnanasakthy, David Cella

 

Health-related quality of life (HRQL) is an important outcome for cancer treatment, but the interpretation of HRQL data may not be obvious to physicians or patients.  One way to improve interpretation is by identifying the smallest differences in HRQL scores that are likely to be meaningful to both physicians and patients.  These differences are also known as minimally important differences (MIDs). Some cancer therapy, called “biologic response modifier” (BRM) therapy, works by stimulating a patient’s immune system to fight cancer.  The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Biologic Response Modifiers (FACT-BRM) instrument was designed to measure the adverse side effects of BRM therapy, along with general HRQL.  The article “Using multiple anchor- and distribution-based estimates to evaluate clinically meaningful change on the FACT-BRM instrument” published in the March/April 2005 issue of Value in Health illustrates a process of identifying MIDs. Yost et al. evaluated the normal variation in HRQL scores, and they compared differences or changes in HRQL scores to information familiar to physicians and patients, such as physician rating of patient physical status and patient perception of changes in their own well-being.  Yost et al. concluded that score differences ranging from 5 to 8 points for a summary measure of physical and functional well-being can be considered meaningful.  Similarly, 2 to 3 point differences in social well-being or emotional well-being scores are meaningful. These results have many applications including helping physicians and patients interpret differences between treatment groups in a clinical trial or helping researchers estimate sample size when designing future studies.

 

ISPOR CONNECTIONS

 

ISPOR CONNECTIONS: Volume 11, Issue 1, January/February 2005 is now available to the public at: http://www.ispor.org/news/index_new.asp.  In this issue:

 

Quality Adjustment Using Average Utilities: Virtue or Vice?

Comparison of Reimbursement Systems of Various Countries in Central and Eastern          

     Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia

President's Fireside Chat

The $64,000 Question: What Are We Willing to Pay for a QALY

Board of Directors Take Action in 2004

 

HEALTH CARE COST, QUALITY, AND OUTCOMES: ISPOR BOOK OF TERMS

 

"The ISPOR Book of Terms has been a real hit with our customers and employees alike.  It fills a gap for those who are new to Outcomes." Jenifer Ehreth, PhD, Director Reimbursement for Europe, Middle East and Africa Medtronic Europe

 

This ISPOR publication includes more than 100 detailed monographs covering over 400 terms used in health care delivery, management, and regulation, as well as health care outcomes research including clinical, economic, and quality-of-life research terms. ISPOR member discounted price is $36.00; a 40% discount!  Student/Library/Academic discounted price: $33.00 (a 45% discount). On-line ordering is now available at: http://www.ispor.org/publications/lexicon_index.asp.  Contact Stephen Priori at spriori@ispor.org for information on orders over 1000. 

 

  

2. ISPOR MEETINGS AND CONGRESSES

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**UPDATE** ISPOR 10TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL MEETING

     May 15-18, 2005, Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Washington, DC, USA

 

Over 600 contributed presentations (a 20% increase) at the ISPOR 10^th Annual International Meeting!!!!! 26 workshops, 8 issues panels, 64 podium, and 520 contributed poster presentations.

 

For program information, go to: http://www.ispor.org/meetings/washington0505/index.asp

 

Early Registration Deadline: April 19, 2005

 

HOTEL RESERVATIONS, online reservations and additional information:

http://www.ispor.org/meetings/washington0505/hotel.asp

 

MEETING AT A GLANCE

http://www.ispor.org/meetings/washington0505/index.asp

 

EXHIBIT SPACE, contract available online at:

https://www.ispor.org/Exhibit_Sponsor/ExhibitorOpportunities.aspx?event=2

 

SPONSORSHIP Opportunities are available, for more information go to:

https://www.ispor.org/Exhibit_Sponsor/SponsorshipOpportunities.aspx?event=2

 

PROFESSIONAL RECRUITMENT CENTER (PRAP) Advertise employment opportunities:

http://www.ispor.org/prap.asp

 

PRE-MEETING SYMPOSIUM: Evolution and Innovation of Pharmaceutical Technology: Implications for US Medicare Modernization Act co-sponsored by ISPOR and the PhRMA Health Outcomes Committee

Sunday, May 15, 2005, 5:00-7:00PM

Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Washington DC, USA (Prior to the ISPOR 10^th Annual International Meeting)

 

SYMPOSIUM: Methodological Issues in the Analysis of Health Care Databases sponsored by: IMS Health

Monday, May 16, 2005, 1:00-2:00PM

Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Washington DC, USA (During the ISPOR 10^th Annual International Meeting)

 

JOIN US IN CELEBRATING THE ISPOR 10th ANNIVERSARY!!

 

ISPOR celebrates its 10-Year Anniversary though out the 10sup>th Annual International Meeting!  The schedule of celebratory events is as follows:

 

MONDAY, MAY 16

8:00-8:30 AM ISPOR: 10 YEARS – "PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE"

 

12:30–2:00 PM ISPOR 10 YEARS CELEBRATION CAKE CUTTING CEREMONY

 

6:00-8:00PM ISPOR 10th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AND GIFTS

 

TUESDAY, MAY 17

10:45-11:15 AM 10 YEAR MEMBERS' RECOGNITION

 

12:30PM–1:30PM ISPOR 10 YEARS CELEBRATION

 

5:00-7:00PM ISPOR 10th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AND TOASTS   

 

7:30- 10:30 PM ISPOR 10^th ANNIVERSARY PARTY AT THE Sequoia Restaurant on the Potomac River, open bar & food, DJ and dance floor, door prizes, quiz games, transportation to/from the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Only $50 USD

Register online: http://www.ispor.org/meetings/washington0505/anniv_party.asp

 

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18

10:30- 11:00AM ISPOR 10 YEARS PAST PRESIDENTS' RECOGNITION

 

 

ISPOR 10 Year History

 

The International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research is an international organization promoting the science of pharmacoeconomics and health outcomes research. The Society was established in 1995 under the prior name Association of Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (APOR), until 1997 when it became International. The Society was organized to act as a scientific leader relevant to research in pharmacoeconomics, health outcomes assessment, and related issues of public policy. It represents healthcare researchers and practitioners including pharmacists, physicians, economists, nurses and researchers from academia, pharmaceutical industry, government, managed care, health research organizations, and purchasers of health care.

1995: APOR established and first issue of APOR NEWS published.

1996: APOR First Annual International Meeting held in Philadelphia, PA USA.

1997: APOR 2nd Annual International Meeting; APOR Lipid Conference, Orlando, Fl, USA; ISPOR merged with International Society for Economic Evaluation of Medicines (ISEEM) to form ISPOR; website launched.

1998: ISPOR 3rd Annual International Meeting; ISPOR Inaugural European Conference, Cologne, Germany; Pharmacoeconomics-Identifying the Issue Conference; ISPOR first issue of Value in Health Journal published, APOR NEWS renamed ISPOR NEWS; ISPOR LEXICON, First Edition published, first ISPOR Student Chapter established (University of Texas).

1999: ISPOR 4th Annual International Meeting; ISPOR 2nd Annual European Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland; Rising Cost of Drug Coverage and Limited Healthcare Budgets: A Search for Solutions Conference, Washington, DC.

2000: ISPOR 5th Annual International Meeting; Quality of Life Symposium; ISPOR 3rd Annual European Conference, Antwerp, Belgium.

2001: ISPOR 6th Annual International Meeting; NICE to Know: An Update on the National Institute for Clinical Excellence Guidelines Symposium; ISPOR 4th Annual European Congress, Cannes, France; Value in Health Journal indexed in MEDLINE (Vol. 4, Issue Jan/Feb 2001).

2002: ISPOR 7th Annual International Meeting; Patient-Reported Outcomes ‘PRO' Symposium: Conceptual and Methodological Issues Symposium; ISPOR 5th Annual European Congress, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; ISPOR NEWS renamed ISPOR CONNECTIONS.

2003: ISPOR 8th Annual International Meeting; Pharmacoeconomics in a Managed Care Environment: Opportunities & Challenges Symposium; ISPOR 6th Annual European Congress, Barcelona, Spain; ISPOR First Asia Pacific Conference, Kobe Japan; Clinical & Social Burden of COPD Symposium; Health Care Cost, Quality, and Outcomes: ISPOR Book of Terms published.

2004: ISPOR 9th Annual International Meeting; Benefit/Risk: In Search of the Proper Balance Symposium; ISPOR 7th Annual European Congress, Hamburg, Germany; ISPOR eBulletin first published;  ISPOR Distance Learning modules established, ISPOR Managed Care Outcomes Research Database and Pharmacoeconomics Around the World database established.

2005: ISPOR 10th Annual International Meeting; The Evolution and Innovation of Pharmaceutical Technology: Implications for US Medicare Modernization Act Symposium; ISPOR 8th Annual European Congress, Florence, Italy; ISPOR Research Digest established.

 

 

3. EDUCATION ACTIVITIES

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ISPOR SHORT COURSES

Saturday, May 14^th & Sunday May 15^th, 2005 - Prior to the ISPOR 10^th Annual International Meeting

 

For short course descriptions and faculty information go to:

·       Saturday, May 14th: http://www.ispor.org/meetings/washington0505/sc14.asp

·       Sunday, May 15th: http://www.ispor.org/meetings/washington0505/sc15.asp

 

 

Pharmacoeconomics Courses:

·       Pharmacoeconomics for Decision-makers – Saturday Full Day Course (8:00am-5:00pm)

·       Elements of Pharmaceutical Pricing – Sunday Morning Course (8:00am-12:00pm)

 

Clinical Assessment Courses:

·       Retrospective Database Analysis: Econometric Methods – Sunday Full Day Course (8:00am-5:00pm)

·       Meta-Analysis and Systematic Literature Review – Sunday Morning Course (8:00am-12:00pm)

 

Modeling Courses:

·       Bayesian Analysis: Overview – Saturday Morning Course (8:00am-12:00pm)

·       Bayesian Analysis: Applications – Saturday Afternoon Course (1:00pm-5:00pm)

·       Modeling: Structure & Design of Model – Sunday Full Day Course (8:00am-5:00pm)

·       Discrete Event Simulation for Economic Analyses - Sunday Afternoon Course (1:00pm-5:00pm)

·       Introduction to Decision Analysis – Sunday Afternoon Course (1:00pm-5:00pm)

 

Quality of Life/Patient-reported Outcomes Courses:

·       Introduction to Quality of Life/Patient-Reported Outcomes – Saturday Afternoon Course (1:00pm-5:00pm)

·       Old and New Utility Measures in Health Economics and Outcomes Research – Sunday Morning Course (8:00am-12:00pm)

·       Advanced Quantitative Methods for Quality of Life/Patient-reported Outcomes Research – Sunday Afternoon Course (1:00pm-5:00pm)

 

Economic Analysis Courses:

·       Financial Impact / Cost of Illness – Saturday Afternoon Course (1:00pm-5:00pm)

·       Cost Estimation: Finding and Extracting Cost Data – Sunday Morning Course (8:00am-12:00pm)

·       Statistical Considerations in Economic Evaluations – Sunday Afternoon Course (1:00pm-5:00pm)

 

ISPOR Distance Learning Program Modules

http://www.ispor.org/distancelearning/index.asp

 

Modules on Pharmacoeconomics in Drug Development, Reimbursement and Marketing

·       Pharmacoeconomics in Drug Development and Marketing: An Overview      

·       Drug Development - Pre-Phase II Pharmacoeconomic Activities

·       Drug Development- Phase II Pharmacoeconomic Activities

·       Drug Development – Phase III Pharmacoeconomic Activities

·       Drug Development – Phase IIIB and Pre-Market Entry Pharmacoeconomic Activities

 

The following module topics are currently available:

·      Pharmacoeconomics

·      Pharmacoeconomic Evaluations &  Methods

·      Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

·      Cost-Benefit Analysis

·      Cost-Utility Analysis

·      Patient-Reported Outcomes (Utilities, Health-Related Quality Of Life, Treatment Satisfaction, Treatment Adherence, Patient Preferences)

·      Study Design in Pharmacoeconomics

·      Guidelines and Reference Standards

 

 

4. STUDENT NEWS

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Visit ISPOR Internship- Professional Recruitment Assistance Program (I-PRAP)

http://www.ispor.org/iprap/index.asp

 

STUDENTS have the opportunity to search for internship positions available and post their CVs/resumes for employers to view. Post your CV today!

EMPLOYERS have the opportunity to access CVs/resumes from interested students.

 

For more details on the ISPOR Student Network, please visit: http://www.ispor.org/student/student_index.asp

          

  

5. ISPOR SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS (SIG)

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CLINICAL PRACTICE SIG

 

**NEW** Clinical Practice SIG Forum: Monday May 16 4:30– 5:30 PM, at the ISPOR 10^th Annual International Meeting.  

Topic: Applying Pharmacoeconomic Principles in Clinical Practice . . . Noble Enterprise or Pipe Dream?
Moderator: Ramon Bautista MD, MBA, Department of Neurology, University of Florida HSC / Jacksonville, FL;   Speakers: F. Randy Vogenberg RPh, PhD, Senior Vice President & National Practice Council Leader, Aon Consulting, Life Sciences Consulting Practice, Providence, RI; Sara Shull MBA, PharmD, Drug Policy and Economics Pharmacist Specialist, Nebraska Health System Name, Omaha, NE;  Peter K. Wong PhD, MBA, RPh Vice President, Clinical Effectiveness & PI, Good Samaritan Hospital, Dayton, OH.

Clinical Practice SIG Workshop: Monday, May 16, 2:00 – 3:00 PM during the ISPOR 10^th Annual International Meeting. 
Topic: Standardized Reporting Format for Outcomes Research or Economic Evaluation and a System to Measure the Strength of Evidence of Studies

Speakers: Peter K. Wong PhD, MBA, RPh, Vice President, Clinical Effectiveness & PI, Good Samaritan Hospital, Dayton, OH; Alan Bakst MBA, PharmD, Director, Health Economics and Outcomes Research, TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc, Chicago, IL; Alan Mutnick PharmD, Assistant Director Clinical Practice, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA.

 

For more details on this SIG, please visit: http://www.ispor.org/sigs/cp.asp

 

HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT SIG

 

**NEW**  HTA SIG Chair, Frank Papatheofanis MD, MPH, PhD, Director of the Advanced Medical Technology Assessment & Policy Program and Associate Professor of Radiology and Economics University of California at San Diego, is holding an Health Technology Assessment SIG Open Meeting on Monday, May 16 at 5:30 PM during the ISPOR 10^th Annual International Meeting for all interested members to discuss the SIG’s future plans and working group leadership.

 

For more details on this SIG, please visit: http://www.ispor.org/sigs/hta.asp

 

PATIENT REGISTRY SIG

 

**NEW** Patient Registry SIG Forum, Tuesday, May 17, 4:00 – 5:00 PM, at the ISPOR 10^th Annual International Meeting.  Topic: Patient Registries: Opportunity and Responsibility

Moderator: Jeffrey Trotter MM, President, Ovation Research Group, Highland Park, IL Speakers: Melva T. Covington MPH, MBA, PhD, Team Leader, Global Health Outcomes
Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN; Mohan Bala PhD, Director, Outcomes Research
Centocor, Inc, Malvern, PA: Peter Malamis MBA, Vice-President & General Manager, Post-Marketing Business Unit, Scirex, Horsham, PA; Hugh Levaux PhD, CEO, Ninaza, San Mateo, CA; Leanne Larson MHA, Vice President, Strategy & Development, Ovation Research Group, Highland Park, IL

 

For more details on this SIG, please visit: http://www.ispor.org/sigs/patient_registr.asp

 

QUALITY OF LIFE SIG

 

**NEW** The New Chairperson for the Quality of Life SIG is Judith Barr, Med, ScD, Professor & Director, National Education and Research Center for Outcomes Assessment, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.

 

For more details on this SIG, please visit: http://www.ispor.org/sigs/qol.asp

 

MEDICATION COMPLIANCE SIG

  

**NEW**Issues & Methods Definitions Working Group: This group is currently working on operationalizing definitions of compliance/adherence and persistence. The group is now co-chaired by Anita Burrell, MS and Peter Wong PhD, MBA, RPh
 

A Medication Compliance SIG workshop will be presented at the 10^th International Meeting, May 15-18^th, 2005: Medication Compliance (Adherence): Issues and Definitions Consensus Workshop 2005, on Monday, May 16, 2005, at 3:15PM – 4:15PM.

 

Analyses Standards Working Group: This group is currently working on Analysis Standards for Measuring Compliance, the draft will be sent to Working Group Reference Group this month.

 

Two workshops will be presented at the ISPOR 10^th International Meeting, May 15-18^th, 2005:

Methods for Medication Compliance Studies: An Overview of the ISPOR Medication Compliance SIG Guidelines, Monday, May 16, 2005, at 2:00PM – 3:00PM; and

Methods for Medication Compliance Studies: The Importance of Statistical Distributions, Tuesday, May 17, 2005, at 1:30PM – 2:30PM

 

Economics of Compliance Working Group: New leadership group formed, see website at http://www.ispor.org/sigs/medication.asp 

 

To join the reference group please visit: http://www.ispor.org/sigs/joinsig.htm

 

The Medication Compliance SIG will be holding a Forum at the ISPOR 10^th Annual International Meeting, for Monday, May 16^th at 4:30pm – 5:30pm.

 

For more details on this SIG, please visit: http://www.ispor.org/sigs/medication.asp

 

RETROSPECTIVE DATABASE SIG

**NEW** The Co-Chairs for the Retrospective Database SIG group are:

Co-Chair: Michael Johnson PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Houston Center for Quality of Care and Utilization Studies, VA Medical Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

Co-Chair: William D. Marder PhD, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Medstat, Cambridge, MA, USA

 

The Working Group Co-Chairs are:

* Research and Design Working Group

Co-Chair: Rajesh Balkrishnan MS, PhD, Associate Professor of Management and Policy Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX USA

Co-Chair: Samuel Wagner BSc, PhD, RPh Senior Manager, Pfizer Inc., TX USA

 

* Policy Advocacy Working Group

Co-Chair: Christian Gericke MD, MSc, Senior Research Fellow, Berlin University of Technology, Berlin, Germany

Co-Chair: Mohamed Hussein MSc Bio-Statistacian HUMANA, Louisville KY USA

 

* Database Development Working Group

Co-Chair: Benoit Tano MD, PhD, Clinical Fellow Johns Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Center, Baltimore, MD USA

Co-Chair: Bradley Martin PharmD, PhD, RPh, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Little Rock, AR USA

 

**NEW**    ISPOR Comments on Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Event Record Data Elements

The US Health & Human Services, Center for Medicare, Medicaid Services is seeking input from researchers regarding the types of information about prescription drug use provided under Part D of Medicare to have available  to researchers. ISPOR responded to this request on February 28, 2005.  To view ISPOR's comments, see: http://www.ispor.org/sigs/Comments_MedicareRxDataElements.pdf

 

* Classification of Databases Working Group

Co-Chair: Gordon Cummins MS, VP, Sales & Account Mngt, HealthCore, Inc., Wilmington, DE USA

Co-Chair: Carl Asche MBA, MSc, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT USA
 

For more details on this SIG, please visit: http://www.ispor.org/sigs/retrospective_db.asp

 

RISK MANAGEMENT SIG

 

For more details on this SIG, please visit: http://www.ispor.org/sigs/rm.asp

 

MANAGED CARE SIG

 

For more details, please visit: http://www.ispor.org/sigs/mc_pbm.asp

 

Special Interest Group membership is open to ALL ISPOR members. To JOIN any SIG: http://www.ispor.org/sigs/joinsig.htm