News from Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Articles
Value Viewpoint September – October 2025: Recent Developments in US Healthcare Value and Access with Kimberly Westrich
(11/5, The Evidence Base) reports “...[Kimberly Westrich:] I am encouraged by multistakeholder efforts to improve patient-centered research and patient engagement across a diverse range of healthcare decision-making contexts. ‘As we continue to seek ways to improve value in the US healthcare system, it is essential to recognize the wealth of information patients can provide to advance more informed, cost-effective care.’ For example, patients are well-positioned to provide insightful information about unmet needs, side effects, or logistical hurdles that might lead to non-adherence or subpar outcomes. By optimizing how we collect and use this data, we can make more informed, patient-centric formulary and benefit design decisions.” Full
Video: AMCP Nexus 2025: Advancing Health Policy and Patient Outcomes Together
(11/5, The American Journal of Managed Care) “...Kimberly Westrich, MA, chief strategy officer, National Pharmaceutical Council: My favorite part of attending AMCP Nexus is connecting and networking, and this year there are multiple opportunities to do that, because there's a policy summit the day before Nexus starts that I'm looking forward to the cutting-edge discussions that are going to happen there on what's happening in real time in the policy space, which, let's face it, is changing every day.” View Video
Secukinumab Outperforms Ustekinumab for Functional Improvement in Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis
(11/5, Tara Haelle, Medscape) reports “More patients with psoriatic arthritis responded to secukinumab than to ustekinumab after failing a TNF inhibitor, according to results from the randomized, double-blind, head-to-head AgAIN trial, which were presented at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2025 Annual Meeting.” Full
Accelerating the Use of Findings From PCORI-Funded Research
(11/5, The PCORI Blog) comments “...Historically, studies estimate there is an extended 17-year gap between identifying research findings and translating their use into clinical practice. At PCORI, multiple direct efforts support the implementation of results from PCORI-funded studies in care settings. PCORI funds both researcher-led implementation projects and projects led by health systems to promote the uptake of findings from PCORI-funded research in practice settings: Limited Competition and Open Competition Implementation Awards to support researchers in taking next steps to put PCORI-funded research into practice. The Health Systems Implementation Initiative, a multiyear initiative that funds implementation projects for select PCORI-funded studies at the health-system level.” Full
FDA Rejects Biohaven's Ataxia Drug, Shutting Down Company's Second Attempt to Win Approval
(11/5, Lei Lei Wu, Endpoints News) reports “The FDA has turned down Biohaven’s drug for spinocerebellar ataxia, a neurodegenerative disease that leads to loss of coordination and balance, citing issues with using real-world evidence and natural history studies...‘This was a highly controversial application considering the use of RWD [real-world data] as the comparator,’ TD Cowen analyst Tyler Van Buren wrote on Wednesday.” Subscription Required
Where RWE Studies Stand In India And Bharat Serums’ Plans For The World’s Largest One
(11/5, Vibha Ravi, Pink Sheet) reports “...Real-world evidence (RWE) studies in India face challenges like lack of data reliability and uniformity and absence of clear guidelines but firms like Bharat Serums have scored a regulatory win. Pink Sheet examines the RWE landscape and the BSV case study for lessons in beating the odds.” Subscription Required
Press Releases
New Commentary in JMCP — Patient Engagement in Managed Care Pharmacy: Putting Policy Into Practice
(11/5, National Pharmaceutical Council Press Release) “...‘Meaningful patient engagement is no longer optional. Public and private sector decision makers realize this and are increasingly calling for patients to have a formalized role in decision-making,’ shared Joe Vandigo, co-author and Applied Patient Experience Vice President of Market Access and Value Strategy. ‘Our commentary highlights tactics to successfully integrate patients into the decision-making process based on lessons we shared earlier this year at AMCP’s Annual Meeting.’...‘Real-world engagement and shared perspectives are critical to advancing the role of patients in meaningful decision-making,’ noted Kimberly Westrich, co-author and NPC Chief Strategy Officer. ‘Patient insights must be actively utilized to shape clinical research, value assessments, and coverage decisions. Patients are counting on us to get this right.’” Full
Journals
Comparative Effectiveness of Optimized Versus Conventional Perioperative Care in Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy for Lumbar Degenerative Disease: A Single-Center Retrospective Study
Miaomiao Cui, et al.
October 30, 2025, Journal of Pain Research
Comparative Real-World Survival of First-Line Atezolizumab, Nivolumab, and Pembrolizumab in Older Patients with Metastatic Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Xiangzhong Xue, MS, et al.
October 31, 2025, Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy