Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER)

Institute of Medicine and Federal Coordinating Council Release Important Reports on CER

On June 30, 2009 The Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research both released reports, as mandated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to be submitted by June 30.
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HHS Releases CER Definition/Criteria

Draft Definition of Comparative Effectiveness Research for the Federal Coordinating Council

Comparative effectiveness research is the conduct and synthesis of systematic research comparing different interventions and strategies to prevent, diagnose, treat and monitor health conditions. The purpose of this research is to inform patients, providers, and decision-makers, responding to their expressed needs, about which interventions are most effective for which patients under specific circumstances. To provide this information, comparative effectiveness research must assess a comprehensive array of health-related outcomes for diverse patient populations. Defined interventions compared may include medications, procedures, medical and assistive devices and technologies, behavioral change strategies, and delivery system interventions. This research necessitates the development, expansion, and use of a variety of data sources and methods to assess comparative effectiveness.

CER Legislation Introduced in House

Legislation was introduced on May 19th by Representatives Kurt Schrader (D-OR) and Allyson Schwartz (D-PA) regarding CER.

The bill would set up a research fund paid for with unused money from the stimulus bill, as well as fees on Medicare and private health plans.

The Health Care Comparative Effectiveness Research Institute that it establishes would be overseen by a 21-member board, appointed by the U.S. Comptroller General and would include HHS officials, patient, physician and private payer representatives and others.

Public comment would be allowed prior to establishing research guidelines, and all research conducted would be subject to a stringent peer-review process. Patients’ gender, race, age and ethnicity would have to be accounted for in research studies.

Improving Medical Decisions Through Comparative Effectiveness Research: Cancer as a Case Study

On May 13th 2009, Friends of Cancer Research held a forum on Comparative Effectiveness Research in conjunction with the release of an important paper on CER with an authoring committee of 25 of the leading biomedical researchers, health economists and oncologists from leading cancer centers across the US. The paper takes a serious look at improving medical decisions through CER using Cancer as a case study.

The report is available HERE

This paper and it’s recommendations have been endorsed by the following organizations: