ANNOUNCEMENT
Princeton, NJ—May 5, 2016—The International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (
ISPOR) announced today that it is embarking on the planning phase of a new
Initiative on Value Assessment Frameworks.
As the health care system has evolved toward a value-driven approach, the focus has shifted to evaluate therapeutic options based on health outcomes, value to the patient, and effectiveness compared with other potential treatment options. This has resulted in a need for high-quality, unbiased value assessment frameworks to support health care decision making.
While a number of value assessment frameworks exist, the current frameworks are widely diverse in their approaches. This inconsistency in available frameworks can lead to variable evaluations of treatments depending upon the framework employed in varying contexts. As a result, the need exists for a set of standards that are robust, transparent, methodologically sound, and that involve the input of all key stakeholders to guide development of value assessment frameworks for health care decision making.
The
Initiative on Value Assessment Frameworks was created to inform the shift towards a value-driven health care system by promoting the development and dissemination of high-quality, unbiased value assessment frameworks. ISPOR is spearheading this initiative with input and assistance from leading experts and key stakeholders in the health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) community. The initiative will:
- Identify and discuss key methodological and process issues in defining and applying value frameworks to health care resource allocation issues, and
- Convene a Special Task Force that will collaborate to produce a white paper that advises on the appropriate definition and use of high-quality value frameworks.
Phase 1 of the initiative will focus on foundational work (i.e., conducting surveys and holding meetings involving stakeholders and academic health economics and outcomes research experts, creating and reviewing a draft scope of work for Phase 2, and writing topical papers on issues in value assessment frameworks, etc.).
Phase 2 will focus on establishing a Special Task Force and producing a policy white paper on the appropriate definition and use of value frameworks. Phase 2 funding will be provided solely by ISPOR.
The topical papers on issues in value assessment frameworks will be published as a themed section of a future issue of
Value in Health, the official journal of ISPOR. A call for papers for this issue can be found
here.
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Initiative on Value Assessment Frameworks—Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Initiative on Value Assessment Frameworks?
The
Initiative on Value Assessment Frameworks was created to inform the shift towards a value-driven health care system by promoting the development and dissemination of high-quality, unbiased value assessment frameworks. ISPOR is spearheading this initiative with input and assistance from leading experts and key stakeholders in the health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) community. The initiative will:
- Identify and discuss key methodological and process issues in defining and applying value frameworks to health care resource allocation issues, and
- Convene a Special Task Force that will collaborate to produce a white paper that advises on the appropriate definition and use of high-quality value frameworks.
Phase 1 of the initiative will focus on foundational work (i.e., conducting surveys and holding meetings with stakeholders and academic health economics and outcomes research experts; creating and reviewing a draft scope of work for Phase 2; and writing topical papers on issues in value assessment frameworks, etc.).
Phase 2 will focus on establishing a Special Task Force and producing a policy white paper on the appropriate definition and use of value frameworks.
Why has ISPOR decided to take on this initiative?
While a number of value assessment frameworks exist, the current frameworks are widely diverse in their approaches. This inconsistency in available frameworks can lead to variable evaluations of treatments depending upon the framework employed in varying contexts. As a result, the need exists for a set of standards that are robust, transparent, methodologically sound, and that involve the input of all key stakeholders to guide development of value assessment frameworks for health care decision making.
Who are the initiative leaders and participants?
This initiative is being led in Phase 1 by a founding Steering Committee that will oversee the engagement of an Expert Advisory Board and Stakeholder Advisory Panel. Phase 2 will be driven by the Special Task Force (membership to be determined) with review and input from the Stakeholder Advisory Panel. A list of the members of each group is included at the end of this FAQ. The Stakeholder Advisory Panel will include patient representatives, industry leaders (drug, device, and diagnostics), payers, professional societies, among others. The Stakeholder Advisory Panel is in process of being developed and a list of panelists will be posted as soon as this group is finalized.
What was the volunteer selection process and how can I get involved?
The selection process is a two-staged approach. First, was the selection of the Expert Advisory Board and the Stakeholder Advisory Panel. Given the need for timeliness in this effort, the Expert Advisory Board and Stakeholder Advisory Panel were selected by the Steering Committee from the many distinguished scientists and contributors in this field. The Expert Advisory Board, comprised primarily of health economists, will be consulted regarding methodological concerns in value assessment. The Stakeholder Advisory Panel includes payers, providers, industry, patient representatives, and selected other interested parties (see list below). Stakeholder perspectives will be sought at several time points from the Stakeholder Advisory Panel and others. The second stage of the selection process will be to establish a Special Task Force by July 2016. The Special Task Force will include approximately 10 individuals who have demonstrated expertise in addressing the key concerns identified. We are aware and grateful that many well-qualified individuals would like to be involved in these efforts. ISPOR members can volunteer to be part of the primary review group that will review the draft white paper (see details below).
How will the initiative communicate its findings? Will the group’s findings be published?
The initiative plans to publish a set of topical issue papers and the final group report and will seek to publish in reputable journals in our field. A number of the topical issue papers will be published as a themed section in a future issue of
Value in Health, ISPOR’s official journal. A call for papers for this themed section can be found
here.
As an ISPOR member, can I provide input into the process?
There will be a number of opportunities for members to provide input:
– If you would like to contribute a paper about a specific aspect of value assessment frameworks, you are invited to respond to the
Value in Health call for papers.
– The initiative will be referenced at several points during the upcoming ISPOR
21st Annual International Meeting in Washington, DC, USA. A brief overview of the initiative will be presented by ISPOR’s Chief Science Officer, Dr. Richard Willke, during his remarks in the 2nd plenary on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at 8:30-10:30 AM. Your comments are welcome following these remarks.
– The
6th Biennial Conference of the American Society of Health Economists (ASHEcon) will feature two consecutive sessions on the initiative on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. Dr. Willke will chair a session from 8:30-10:00 AM entitled, “
Health Economic Perspectives on Value Frameworks.” Dr. Jalpa Doshi will chair the next session at 10:15-11:45 AM entitled, “
Stakeholder Perspectives: A Roundtable on Value Assessment.” Additional information on ASHEcon 2016 can be found
here.
– ISPOR is planning an open stakeholder meeting to take place in early Fall 2016 in Washington, DC. The open meeting will review the planned scope of work for the initiative. Please stay tuned—and watch the ISPOR home page—for a more detailed announcement. Capacity for this meeting may be limited.
– We expect to schedule a session regarding this initiative at the ISPOR
19th Annual European Congress in Vienna, Austria this Fall. More details will be forthcoming as the program is announced. Additional information on the ISPOR European Congress can be found
here.
– If you would like to volunteer to be part of the primary review group for the draft white paper, or send other comments about the initiative, please write to
CSO@ispor.org.
It appears that this is a US-focused initiative? Will non-US frameworks be considered by the initiative?
While health technology assessment is indeed a global concern with a number of important country and regional approaches in use, the recent interest in and proliferation of diverse value assessment frameworks in the US has suggested that a US-specific guidance is appropriate given the mix of stakeholder interests here. However, international perspectives and findings will certainly be incorporated in these deliberations.
Initiative Participant List
Steering Committee Members
Nancy Berg (ISPOR)
Jalpa Doshi, PhD (University of Pennsylvania)
Samantha Dougherty, PhD (PhRMA)
Lou Garrison, PhD (University of Washington)
Anthony T. LoSasso, PhD (University of Illinois at Chicago)
Peter Neumann, ScD (Tufts University School of Medicine)
Joe Vandigo, MS, MBA, PhD Candidate (PhRMA)
Richard J. Willke, PhD (ISPOR)
Initiative Research Support
Simrun (Simi) Grewal (PhD Student, University of Washington)
Expert Advisory Board
Anirban Basu, PhD (University of Washington)
Josh Carlson, PhD (University of Washington)
Michael E. Chernew, PhD (Harvard University)
Patricia M. Danzon, PhD (The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania)
Jalpa Doshi, PhD (University of Pennsylvania)
Michael Drummond, MCom, DPhil (University of York)
Mark Fendrick, MD (University of Michigan)
Lou Garrison, PhD (University of Washington)
Henry A. Glick, PhD (University of Pennsylvania)
Dana Goldman, PhD (University of Southern California)
Darius Lakdawalla, PhD (University of Southern California)
Bryan Luce, PhD, MBA (Evidera)
David Meltzer, MD, PhD (University of Chicago)
Daniel Mullins, PhD (University of Maryland)
Peter Neumann, ScD (Tufts University School of Medicine)
Mark V. Pauly, PhD (The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania)
Charles E. Phelps, PhD (University of Rochester)
Scott Ramsey, MD, PhD (University of Washington)
Shelby Reed, PhD (Duke University)
Frank A. Sloan, PhD (Duke University)
Adrian Towse, MA, MPhil (Office of Health Economics)
Milton C. Weinstein, PhD (Harvard University)
Richard J. Willke, PhD (ISPOR)
Stakeholder Advisory Panel
In development; to be added once finalized.
Update: June 16, 2016
This announcement was updated to reflect several changes in the initiative.
Update: May 19, 2016
This announcement was updated to reflect the addition of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
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ABOUT ISPOR
The International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (
ISPOR) is a nonprofit, international, educational and scientific organization that promotes health economics and outcomes research excellence to improve decision making for health globally. ISPOR engages its 20,000 members through more than 80 chapters worldwide.
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Support for this program is being provided by ISPOR and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.