Is an independent and non-partisan research organization. Its purpose
is to evaluate the clinical and economic value of prescription drugs,
medical tests, and health care and health care delivery innovations.
ICER conducts rigorous analyses of all clinical data with key
stakeholders to include patients, doctors, life science companies,
private insurers, and the government and translate the evidence into
policy decisions that lead to a more effective, efficient, and just
health care system.
As explained by their site information, ICER is known as the nation’s independent watchdog
on drug pricing. It’s drug assessment reports include a full analysis
of how well each new drug works and the resulting “clinical value,
quality of life, benefit to the health-care system and society” used to
establish a price. Using the drug assessment report, a “value-based
price benchmark” is established reflecting how each drug should be
priced addressing all four factors. Reports also evaluate the potential
short-term budget impact of new drugs to alert policymakers to
situations when short-term costs may strain health system budgets and
lead to restrictions on patient access. Ensuring objectivity in its
work, all ICER reports are produced with funding from non-profit
foundations and other sources that are free of conflicts of interest
from the life science industry or insurers.
What I have seen in the past is the ICER establishing pricing for new
drugs taking into consideration these factors; “the patient’s quality
of life, and the resulting benefits to the health-care system, and
society.” This is the first time I am seeing the ICER looking at price
increases and determining whether the value delivered substantiates a
price increase. By the numbers: Here are the drugs (and manufacturers)
highlighted in a recent ICER’s report, with the increase in net spending
attributable to each drug’s price increase, and citing the increases
could not be justified by the value delivered.
