Hello, everyone, and welcome to this edition of Excelsior Solutions’ ICER Update. Here is this week’s ICER recap:
- This week ICER announced the beginning of the process to update its value assessment framework for 2020 and beyond, and they called for public input on how they could enhance existing methods for how they evaluate prescription drugs and other health care interventions. Comments are welcome through June 10.
EXCELSIOR ACTION POINT: As we’ve often pointed out in this space, ICER is unique in its outreach and embrace of public opinion in its value-based assessments. In this instance, ICER is seeking input on the methodology employed in the construction of those value-based assessments, and as
always, we encourage your participation in the process as your busy schedules’ time permits.
- ICER published its revised Evidence Report assessing the use of siponimod (Mayzent™, Novartis) for the treatment of all patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. The Midwest CEPAC will deliberate on siponimod’s clinical effectiveness and other potential benefits during its May 23 public meeting.
EXCELSIOR ACTION POINT: As mentioned in this space previously, MS products trail only the broad area of oncology in terms of the sheer number of specialty pipeline products likely to launch, as a therapeutic group, in the next 12 to
18 months. P&T Committees ought to be adjusting their meeting agendas in anticipation of these looming launches.
- Also this week, ICER posted its draft scope for their planned assessment of oral semaglutide (Novo Nordisk) and other treatments for Type 2 diabetes. The document is open to public comment through May 22.
EXCELSIOR ACTION POINT: One of the things that none of our clients is saying these days is, “You know, Bob, we just aren’t spending quite enough money on diabetes in our plan…” Avail yourselves of the opportunity to influence the value
assessment process in this high profile, high cost therapeutic area in which Rx treatment has a powerful ability to forestall future medical consequences.
If you would like to discuss these ICER initiatives, or any other aspects of your Pharmacy Benefit Plan, simply reach out to your Excelsior Solutions account team and we will be happy to quickly set up a call.
Until next time!
Bob Kordella, RPh, MBA