|
||||||
Recent Issues2010Spring Summer 2009 April June August October/November Winter 2009–2010 2008 May/June July/August September/October November/December 2007 February April June August October December 2006 February April June August October December 2005 February April June August October December 2004 March May July/August September October December About Biotechnology Healthcare JournalRate CardProduction Specifications Call for Papers Conflict-of-interest form (PDF) Writers’ Guidelines Masthead Editorial Board Subscriptions Reprints |
August 2009FeaturesCover Story Walking the CER PathWith a full pipeline and the promise of greater use of their products ahead, biotechs are under more pressure than ever to prove value. Manufacturers that align themselves with policy makers and payers through a CER framework may become a part of decision-making processes, rather than having to justify value from the outside looking in. Evidence-based medicine has been a rallying cry for payers,
but an inability to define value, conflicting clinical trial designs, physician practice variations, and payment incentives confound efforts to make EBM go mainstream. CER may give EBM some legs — just as the biologics pipeline is about to overflow. Comparative Effectiveness: The Employer PerspectiveBiopharmaceuticals are rapidly emerging as a focal point of concern in benefit design. CE initiatives may prove their value, but controlling costs will be up to consumers. Biologics are a focal point for purchasers, but controlling their costs is up to employees. The Future of Biologics, Part II Building a Value-Based Approach to Biologic DrugsIn the absence of comprehensive position papers from professional organizations on the complex issue of patient affordability of biologic therapies, the Jefferson School of Population Health reconvened a National Advisory Board to discuss the issue. The objectives of the board were to quantify the issues and to identify potential solutions — including a recommended approach for payers. A panel convened at the Jefferson School of Population Health quantifies the issues about affordability of biologics and drafts a recommended approach for payers. Industry Meeting Demands for More Effective VaccinesSwine flu aside, infectious disease is big business. Not all biopharma work is focused on rare diseases; new adjuvants and higher doses may be the answer to better flu control. Even before the swine flu pandemic, better influenza control was a major focus among biopharmas. HIV, hepatitis C, and RSV are important, too. Specialty Pharmacy Trends and Plan Sponsor ValueCurrent benefit designs can’t handle the increasing use and cost of biologic therapies. New tactical strategies to forge value-based insurance are needed now. Creative assessments of value will help payers reap the greatest benefit. DepartmentsOpeners The Biggest Thing Since Medicare
Michael D. Dalzell Editorial Getting Our Priorities Straight
David B. Nash, MD, MBA Personalized Medicine Genetic Tests Unravel Mystery of Long QT SyndromeGenetic tests aid diagnosis of Long QT. Drug Track Research, Conferences, and FDA ActionsApprovals, research, and conference reports. Specialty Pharmacy Personalized Medicine: Tomorrow’s Promise or Today’s Reality?SPs weigh value of molecular diagnostics. Biologics and Benefits Weeding Out Waste in Benefit DesignTrends Specialty Drugs, Healthcare Costs Rise in TandemCost trends for specialty drugs and total healthcare expenditures on similar paths. |
|||||