OBJECTIVES : To report interim findings from a pilot value-based formulary (VBF) program integrating real-world data from patient-reported outcome (PRO) and benchmark data. A key objective of the VBF-PRO is to enable comparative effectiveness (CE) analytics using standard PRO measures, allowing for meaningful stakeholder engagement about outcomes critical to patients. The analyses illustrate the importance of benchmarks in understanding CE results based on PROs.

METHODS : The VBF-PRO is an internet-based, longitudinal patient survey with data collected at 6 times over 12 months. Patients with multiple sclerosis [MS], psoriasis [PSO], and rheumatoid arthritis [RA] who received a prescription for one of 17 specialty pharmacy medications were invited to participate. Patients completed multiple PROs, including the SF-36v2, which measures general health status and produces physical [PCS] and mental [MCS] summary scores. Age- and gender-adjusted general population (GP) norms were used to improve understanding of scores observed in VBF-PRO among patients who completed all scheduled assessments in the first 6 months.

RESULTS : From the 45,143 patients invited, 9,223 (20%) participated and completed at least one assessment. Approximately 15% of participants (N=1,350) completed all scheduled assessments through Month 6. Impairment in physical functioning (PCS ≥ 2 points below GP) was observed among the study cohort, with considerable variation across conditions: greatest in RA (-3.74 to -2.17), followed by MS (-1.68 to -1.23) and PSO (-0.28 to 1.15). Convergence with GP norms from first to last assessment was observed for one RA treatment (-5.3 to -2.7). This group reported reductions in absenteeism (4.3% to 1.8%) and presenteeism (20% to 17.5%) in the same period.

CONCLUSIONS : The VBF-PRO supports evaluating treatment benefits of competing therapies in terms that mean the most to patients. For providers, this data will enrich communication with patients and inform treatment decision-making with real-world evidence about functioning and well-being benefits of different MS, PSO, and RA therapies.