Value Viewpoint: February 28, 2025

This week, the Center for Innovation & Value Research published learnings from the second workshop of the Uncovering the True Cost of Healthcare project, “Time is Money: Capturing Time Effects of Economic Impacts Workshop #2 Learning Report.”

Key takeaways from the workshop included:

“Attendees mentioned examples of time costs related to getting and giving care, administrative duties, and self-advocacy. Participants also discussed the near-term impacts or immediate effects, such as lost time at work or school, as well as the ripple effects or the longer-term impacts, such as feeling isolated and experiencing burnout.”

See the figure below for which items were ranked as having the biggest impact on time.

Last week, a new article published in Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (paywalled), co-authored by ICER and the National Health Care Institute (Netherlands), explored an interesting question about the differing evidence needs for regulatory approval and health technology assessment. Although the article is labeled as a review, it’s an opinion-based commentary with selected case studies stitched together to tell a preconceived story. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but let’s label them as such. If you are looking for a thoughtful review of the issue, this isn't it.

In other ICER-related news, the recently posted Draft Evidence Report for Advanced Retinitis Pigmentosa included in the February 7 issue of Value Viewpoint contained a pilot project to explore patient engagement in cost-effectiveness analysis that I missed in my write-up:

• The preliminary model and assumptions were discussed with four members of the patient community, described in Appendix B1 (Methods)
• Several adjustments to the model and assumptions were made based on patient feedback, described in Appendix E1 (Detailed Methods, Impact of Patient Involvement on Model Development)

ICER CSO Dan Ollendorf highlighted the pilot project in a LinkedIn post. Public comments on the report are open until March 6th.

Finally, there are two updates from the employer side of the value world:

o??Bruce Sherman, Brian Sils, and I have a new commentary in the Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy entitled “The Time Is Now: Addressing Health Inequities in the Workplace.”

o??Join me for “Engaging Employers to Action: PBM Resources for Realignment and Success,” a webinar hosted by the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions on March 11 at 3:00 pm ET. We'll share tools and action steps to foster more transparent, value-driven PBM relationships. Joining me:

• Christina Bell, PMP (National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions)
• Lisa Early (Pittsburgh Business Group on Health)
• Denise Giambalvo (Washington Health Alliance)
• Spellmeyer Sandra (Port of Seattle), and
• Amanda White (Eat'n Park Hospitality Group)

??? Eye on ICER

A calendar of ICER’s upcoming reports & meetings:

Policy White Papers/Special Assessments:

- 3/4/25: Special Assessment to Inform CMS Drug Price Negotiation: Breo Ellipta and Trelegy Ellipta — Final Report

- 10/30/25: Launch Price and Access Report: Drug Approvals from 2023-2024 — Final Report

Value Assessment Reports:

- 3/26/25: Retinitis Pigmentosa — Revised Evidence Report

- 3/27/25: Acute Pain — Final Evidence Report

- 4/10/25: Multiple Sclerosis: SPMS — Draft Evidence Report

- 5/12/25: Retinitis Pigmentosa — Final Evidence Report

- 5/27/25: Spinal Muscular Atrophy — Draft Evidence Report

- 5/29/25: Multiple Sclerosis: SPMS — Revised Evidence Report

- 7/15/25: Multiple Sclerosis: SPMS — Final Evidence Report

- 7/17/25: Spinal Muscular Atrophy — Revised Evidence Report

- 9/2/25: Spinal Muscular Atrophy — Final Evidence Report

Meetings:

- 4/11/25: Retinitis Pigmentosa — Public Meeting (New England CEPAC)

- 6/13/25: Multiple Sclerosis: SPMS (California Technology Assessment Forum CTAF)

- 8/1/25: Spinal Muscular Atrophy — Public Meeting (Midwest CEPAC)?

Contributing author: Brian Sils