Real World Evidence Evidence & Data Partnerships

Oct 14, 2014 - Oct 15, 2014, Bethesda

This year real patient data will change healthcare.

87% of Oncologists Consider ‘Real World’ Evidence when Recommending Treatment

Recent studies reveal that the use of real-world evidence is gaining traction among physicians worldwide as a primary consideration when recommending appropriate drugs and treatment.



87% of Oncologists are considering ‘real world’ evidence on product effectiveness and safety, most or all of the time when prescribing treatments, according to a new report.

The survey, conducted by Ipsos Healthcare earlier this year, asked a total of 257 oncologists from different regions across the globe (the US, China, Brazil, and Europe) about their satisfaction with the direction and pace of their respective local healthcare initiatives and key influencers when making treatment decisions.

While austerity measures, healthcare costs and the diversification of risk unsurprisingly caused a few grumbles (an average of 40% remain unsure of reforms), a more thought-provoking outcome of the survey revealed the preference for real-world evidence (RWE) in oncology practices worldwide.

Drug manufacturers have historically overvalued random clinical trials (RCTs), but there may be a new ‘gold standard’ in town as stakeholders increasingly realise the limitations of trial applications.

No matter how well-conducted a RCT, it is unlikely to represent ‘real world’ medical care, due to the pre-selected, pre-screened groups involved. Not to mention the potential for some adverse events to go unnoticed.

Consequently, interest in RWE is growing because it is based on the use of a product in ‘real life’ clinical practice with a more diverse patient population.  This research includes data from non-interventional observational studies, retrospective database studies (registries), and review of data from medical records. And regulators are now leaning on this methodology as a reassurance that their decisions are relevant in the real world.

“In an effort to improve patient access to healthcare and medicines, significant healthcare reforms are underway across the globe,” says Siva Narayanan, who leads the Evidence Generation, Value and Access Center of Excellence at Ipsos Healthcare. “A commonality in healthcare reforms across these countries includes an emphasis on real-world evidence, specifically, comparative effectiveness of standard of care medications.”

According to the recently released Ipsos report, Oncologists are also prioritising patient ‘quality of life’ (94%) and patient affordability and product cost (65%) when they prescribe medications to their patients. More specific results can be accessed here.

But while the RWE reform focus seems to have won over the doctors, there are a number of challenges the industry still faces when it comes to realising the full potential of real world evidence. Electronic collection of health information needs to be made available throughout the healthcare system – electronic medical records should be employed as standard and must be compatible with other electronic data sources. Furthermore, technological advances are bringing new methods of collection and analysis to the market – which is a positive development, of course – but these should be operable to a similar standard that facilitates full access, (in a public data cloud, perhaps) to allow for appropriate collation and comparison, and ultimately optimal intelligent data.


Find out more about how Real World Evidence is becoming crucial for today's market access approach. Hear comprehensive case studies on current uses, and gain vital insights from industry professionals and payors at the Real World Evidence 2013 conference later this month in Bethesda, Maryland.



Real World Evidence Evidence & Data Partnerships

Oct 14, 2014 - Oct 15, 2014, Bethesda

This year real patient data will change healthcare.