Novel Access-Focused Method for Demonstrating Holistic Value of Advanced Therapies with Multiple Approved Indications Co-developed by Analysis Group
February 21, 2025
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 the 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 collective value of medications that are indicated for multiple conditions, nor when a manufacturer offers a portfolio of such medications.
Understanding the challenges faced by formulary decision makers and knowing the importance of taking a broad and dynamic view of utilization management responsibilities to ensure that patients have rapid, predictable, and sustained access to the treatments that they need, 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 a new access-focused patient-centric (APAC) value assessment framework that leverages findings from clinical trials and real-world evidence (RWE).
In an article about their research, 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. They 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.
The article, “An Access-Focused Patient-Centric Value Assessment Framework for Medication Formulary Decision-Making in Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases,” was published in Advances in Therapy.