Comparison Analysis: Critics Questioning Design of Effectiveness Studies

Modern Healthcare
February 23, 2009

Plans to funnel $1.1 billion to federal health agencies in an effort to compare drugs, medical devices and even procedures have come under fire by some policy analysts who say the government is ill-equipped to lead such efforts....

 ....The idea behind what's known as comparative-effectiveness research is to give evidence that certain drugs and devices are working in a safe and effective manner. Many advocates of comparative effectiveness cite cost savings that could result from the research....

...."How you do things really matters," said Brian Schuetz, senior health policy associate for the New England Healthcare Institute, who has been working to develop a workable comparative-effectiveness research blueprint. "It's our sense that the scope should be as broad as possible."...

Link to Full Article: http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20090223/REG/902209949/-1/TOC