CER Daily Newsfeed

RAAS Inhibitors Outperform CCBs in Paediatric CKD Study

(3/19, Niamh Holmes, European Medical Journal) reports “A large real-world study suggests that renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi) may be more effective than calcium channel blockers (CCB) as first-line antihypertensive therapy in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD), offering improved kidney outcomes and better blood pressure control.” Full

Video: Applying Value-Based Frameworks in ATTR-CM Management

(3/19, Ryan Haumschild, PharmD, MS, MBA, CPEL, Kevin Alexander, MD, FACC, FHFSA, The American Journal of Managed Care) “In ‘Applying Value-Based Frameworks in ATTR-CM Management,’ our experts delve into how cost-effectiveness, budget impact, and real-world outcomes are being applied to evaluate ATTR-CM therapies when comparative trial data remains unavailable. Dr. Alexander identifies five key stakeholders in real-world evidence generation: payers, pharmaceutical companies, academic centers, community healthcare organizations, and patient advocacy groups, each playing a distinct role in developing meaningful data.” View Video

Video: MGMA Outlines Path and Pitfalls in CMS 2030 Value-Based Care Push

(3/18, Dave Fornell, HealthExec) “...Overall, [Medical Group Management Association SVP of government affairs Anders Gilberg] said the Trump administration’s approach to value-based care has been heavily focused on reducing spending, sometimes at the expense of broader quality goals. While CMS initiatives have traditionally looked at how to improve care and reduce costs, the current administration's policies have shifted to mainly cutting costs. ‘I would say the administration so far has been more focused on cost containment, more focused on the use of technology for cost containment, and cost containment has been really the name of the game,’ he said.” View Video

Hospitals Seek Help from Congress, and Face Tough Questions

(3/19, Ron Southwick, Chief Healthcare Executive) reports “...Rep. Buddy Carter, a Republican from Georgia, said the [340B] program has grown far beyond its intended purpose of helping hospitals with modest resources...Carter has sponsored legislation to reduce the scope of the 340B program. He said he’s not trying to dismantle the program but ensure it is targeted to people with lower incomes and hospitals that genuinely need help. ‘I know that the hospitals have become dependent on this,’ Carter said, adding, ‘This is masking the cost of other things I can’t see.’” Full

Insights from the World EPA Congress: Evaluating Single-Arm Trials and Real-World Evidence in EU HTA

(3/19, Katie McCool, The Evidence Base) reports “...[Independent HTA expert] Antje Behring emphasized that comparative data are fundamental to HTA, stating that: ‘HTA without comparative data doesn't exist.’ She explained that HTA is inherently focused on assessing the additional value of a new technology relative to existing standards of care, making comparative evidence essential. While RCTs remain the preferred standard for establishing comparative effectiveness, she acknowledged that they are not always feasible due to practical, ethical, or scientific constraints.” Full

UK MHRA-NICE Aligned Pathway: No Surprise ‘Exam Questions’ For Market Access

(3/18, Francesca Bruce, Pink Sheet) reports “...Smaller biotech companies without the regulatory resources of big pharma should approach the UK medicines regulator and health technology appraisal body for early, informal discussions on how to generate the right evidence.” Subscription Required