CER Daily Newsfeed

New Initiative to Support MS Treatment Decisions in Older Adults

(3/24, Margarida Maia, PhD, Multiple Sclerosis News Today) reports “The Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis (ACP) has received funding to help interpret and share findings from the DISCO-MS study, which examined whether older adults with stable multiple sclerosis (MS) could stop disease-modifying medications, to support more informed treatment decisions. The award comes through the Eugene Washington PCORI Engagement Award Program, an initiative of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).” Full

From PICOs to Comparative Evidence: Preparing Orphan Medicines for EU Joint Clinical Assessment

(3/24, Patrick Hopkinson, Caroline Ling, The Evidence Base) reports “...With the EU Health Technology Assessment Regulation (EU HTAR) now in force and the Joint Clinical Assessment (JCA) process expanding to include rare disease therapies from 2028, developers are entering a new era of rigorous, centralized evidence evaluation. At the World Evidence, Pricing & Access Congress 2026, Patrick Hopkinson and Caroline Ling from RTI Health Solutions discussed the emerging methodological and operational challenges shaping this transition. Drawing on early implementation experience, they highlighted how the JCA framework intensifies long-standing rare disease constraints, including small trial populations, limited epidemiology, heterogeneous comparators, and sparse real-world evidence.” Full

White House Pitches Pharma on Pricing Draft

(3/24, Megan R. Wilson, The Washington Post) reports “...The Trump administration cut MFN deals, which remain confidential, with 16 massive pharmaceutical manufacturers. Despite striking individual pricing agreements, most drugmakers haven't rallied behind making them permanent. In fact, several people tell me certain companies believed making those deals would mean avoiding legislation altogether, leaving them frustrated by the current push to codify them...Multiple people familiar with the meetings say companies were shown actual legislative text that would implement Trump's MFN drug pricing priorities previously outlined in letters sent to drugmakers last year.” Subscription Required

Obesity Drugs: A Missed Opportunity In England For Outcomes And Spending?

(3/24, Francesca Bruce, Pink Sheet) reports “...Weight loss drugs have likely proven to be the most challenging medicines to introduce to the National Health Service in England, and lessons should be learned in preparation for other game changing products.” Subscription Required