Analysis Group Co-develops Novel Method for Demonstrating Holistic Value of Multi-Indication Advanced Therapies

BOSTON, Feb. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers from Analysis Group, a global leader in health economics and outcomes research (HEOR), have co-developed a new framework that leverages findings from clinical trials and real-world evidence (RWE) to assess the holistic value of innovative therapies that are used in multiple indications. The access-focused patient-centric (APAC) framework, described in an article published in Advances in Therapy, encourages formulary decision makers to take a broad and dynamic view of their utilization management responsibilities to ensure that patients have rapid, predictable, and sustained access to the treatments that they need.

Advances in the development of highly targeted therapies have provided more effective treatment options for patients than ever before, including notably for those with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel diseases. As a result of this and the evolving US health care system, there is an ever-growing need for a pragmatic approach for informing payers about the holistic value of innovative therapies used in multiple indications.

However, commonly accepted economic modeling tools used by formulary decision makers for that purpose typically focus on clinical outcomes related to the effects of singular medications on individual diseases, as compared to established treatments. Although those tools may have historically been effective for their stated purpose, they may miss our contemporary understanding of the "whole disease" concept and may not reflect the full and evolving experiences of patients. For example, many patients living with IMIDs not only experience the symptoms of their respective conditions, but must also contend with the impacts of the disease on their quality of life, productivity, and interpersonal relationships, among other factors. Moreover, traditional tools are not designed to inform decision makers about the full value of medications that are indicated for multiple conditions, nor when a manufacturer offers a portfolio of such medications.

To advance understanding in this area, an Analysis Group team led by Managing Principal Min Yang, Manager Qing Liu, and academic affiliate Lou Garrison collaborated with researchers from AbbVie and several prominent universities to jointly develop this novel APAC methodology. In the Advances in Therapy article, the authors describe the foundational elements of their approach and explain how it can be adapted to provide a common framework to help payers make informed and timely decisions about medication access.

"The APAC framework emphasizes evidence-based patient-centricity," said Dr. Yang. "By accounting for both efficacy and impacts of advanced therapies on quality of life and productivity from a multi-indication formulary portfolio perspective, APAC can provide practical and quantifiable information that is relevant to formulary decision makers." 

The researchers conclude that the APAC framework "may serve as a bridge to communicate patient-centric benefits of innovative therapies" and that its use could allow formulary decision makers to better facilitate the timely delivery of innovative treatments.

"Formulary decision making can be challenging, and effective utilization management is essential," commented Professor Garrison. "It was a pleasure to tackle this important issue with HEOR colleagues from Analysis Group, AbbVie, and academia to frame a new approach to this complex problem. This novel perspective emphasizes the role of utilization management as a complement to traditional cost-effectiveness analysis, aiming to support formulary decision makers in providing rapid and appropriate access in a patient-centered manner. This should help to efficiently deliver advanced therapies to health plan members, thereby improving their health outcomes while enhancing equity among patients."

The article, "An Access-Focused Patient-Centric Value Assessment Framework for Medication Formulary Decision-Making in Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases," was published in December by Advances in Therapy. In addition to Dr. Yang, Dr. Liu, and Professor Garrison, investigators included Drs. Manish Mittal, Pankaj Patel, and Jerry Clewell of AbbVie; Dr. A. Mark Fendrick of the University of Michigan; Dr. Diana Brixner of the University of Utah; Dr. Bruce W. Sherman of Case Western Reserve University; and Dr. Yifei Liu of the University of Missouri – Kansas City. Funding was provided by AbbVie.

To learn more about Analysis Group's HEOR capabilities, visit www.analysisgroup.com/healthoutcomes. 

About Analysis Group's HEOR, Epidemiology & Market Access Practice
Founded in 1981, Analysis Group is one of the largest international economics consulting firms, with more than 1,500 professionals across 15 offices. Analysis Group's health care experts apply analytical expertise to regulatory real-world evidence, health economics and outcomes research, clinical research, market access and commercial strategy, and health care policy engagements, as well as drug safety-related engagements in epidemiology. Analysis Group's internal experts, together with its network of affiliated experts from academia, industry, and government, provide our clients with exceptional breadth and depth of expertise and end-to-end consulting services globally.

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SOURCE Analysis Group