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In a rapidly changing health care environment, it is more important than ever that pharmaceutical manufacturers improve the quality and efficiency of their research and development efforts in order to help ensure the right drug gets to the right patient at the right time. The evolving role of the Medical Affairs, Health Economics & Outcomes Research (HEOR) and other functions engaged in evidence generation within the pharmaceutical industry is leading to earlier involvement in the clinical development process so that the proof of concept for new therapies can be more strongly linked to the proof of medical value. In this article, the authors outline key components of an Early Engagement Model that connects the proof of concept to proof of medical value through a systematic approach linking molecular profile with early insights on disease, unmet needs, stakeholder requirements, and patient-centric differentiation.

This study examines the resource use patterns and costs of care for patients with incident metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) based on analyses of retrospective claims data from selected health plans in the United States.

The authors analyzed data from the 1994 National Access to Care Survey and estimated the extent of dental care wants in the U.S. population and in various population subgroups. The authors found that 8.5 percent of the population wanted, but did not readily obtain, dental care in 1994. The prevalence of unmet dental care wants varied by demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, and income and health insurance status. Findings suggest that financial barriers to access are significant in explaining the prevalence of wanted dental care.