October 4, 2016 – On September 30, 2016, the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) convened a one-day meeting with over 40 health care stakeholders to review ICER’s current Value Assessment Framework and provide input to help inform a planned 2017 update.

The insights discussed at the meeting will inform the 2017 update to the methods that underpin ICER’s evidence reports on new drugs and other health care interventions. Participants in the discussion included patients and representatives from patient organizations, clinical specialty societies, insurers and pharmacy benefit managers, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, and methodologic experts.

Earlier this year, ICER had invited written suggestions on how to improve its value assessment framework. Over 50 interested parties provided comments.

The current iteration of the framework has been in use for over a year, and with feedback and experience it has evolved during that time. For those interested in a detailed explanation of ICER’s current value framework and how it is used within ICER reports and to guide the deliberation of public meetings, a replay of an educational webinar conducted by ICER’s President, Steven D. Pearson, MD, MSc, is available along with the presentation slides.

The suggestions received at the meeting and in the written comments will be used to guide internal review and further discussions with stakeholders, following which an updated version of the value framework will be posted for additional public comment in December before being finalized and used for ICER reports beginning in early 2017. Reports currently underway will continue to use ICER’s current framework.
About ICER

The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) is an independent non-profit research institute that produces reports analyzing the evidence on the effectiveness and value of drugs and other medical services. ICER’s reports include evidence-based calculations of prices for new drugs that accurately reflect the degree of improvement expected in long-term patient outcomes, while also highlighting price levels that might contribute to unaffordable short-term cost growth for the overall health care system.

ICER’s reports incorporate extensive input from all stakeholders and are the subject of public hearings through three core programs: the California Technology Assessment Forum (CTAF), the Midwest Comparative Effectiveness Public Advisory Council (Midwest CEPAC), and the New England Comparative Effectiveness Public Advisory Council (New England CEPAC). These independent panels review ICER’s reports at public meetings to deliberate on the evidence and develop recommendations for how patients, clinicians, insurers, and policymakers can improve the quality and value of health care. For more information about ICER, please visit ICER’s website.