The Cameron Institute

Evidence and Values: requirements for public reimbursement of drugs for rare diseases – a case study in oncology

Doubts have been expressed about whether standard methods of health technology assessment are suitable for the evaluation of drugs for rare diseases. Under conditions of rarity, it may be more difficult to conduct large randomized trials in order to gather adequate evidence on efficacy, and the standard methods of economic evaluation may not aserious and/or

We know with accuracy only when we know little

Our title reflects a maxim penned by Goethe. It continues in translation to read ‘With knowledge doubt increases.’1 The papers that appear in this issue stemming from a special symposium held in Banff, Alberta in February 2009, describe our progress toward agreement on the concept of access with evidence development (AED).2-6  Goethe’s reflection summarizes the dilemma. Much

Summary Report – PhRMA International Alliance Development Academic Roundtable

On Wednesday, August 19, 2009, fourteen academics from the U.S., Canada and the UK were joined by select PhRMA staff to participate in a PhRMA International Alliance Development Academic Roundtable. The discussion focused on the issues of biosimilars, also referred to as follow-on biologics (FOBs), health technology assessment (HTA), and intellectual property protection. Summary Report

Tiered Pricing Enables Health for All

The June 23, 2009 Financial Times article by Andrew Jack entitled: “Vaccine system hampers progress in Africa” examines an important and often misunderstood issue relating to access to medicines in the developing world. Mr. Jack is right, that the issue of differential pricing between rich, poor and middle-income countries is contentious and that “tensions will

So-called “Civil Society” not so Civil

I teach quality in a graduate health services management programme. One of the measures of quality is customer loyalty. And key to determining or destroying customer loyalty are first impressions and critical incidents. It is the latter phenomenon that has changed my career focus over the past year. Up until the incident I am about

History, Evidence and Reason: A review of proposals for and innovative sources of funding to stimulate R&D

UN Public Consultation on new and innovative sources of funding to stimulate R&D (April 2009) Dr. D. Wayne Taylor, Ph.D., F.CIM A/Executive Director, The Cameron Institute The Cameron Institute welcomes this opportunity to participate in the United Nation’s public consultation on new and innovative sources of funding to stimulate research and development, with specific reference

Engaging Physician Leaders in Performance Measurement and Quality

Healthcare Quarterly, Vol. 12, No. 2, 2009 Michael Heenan and David Higgins As part of its 2007 Innovation Series, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement released a white paper, Engaging Physicians in a Shared Quality Agenda, in which it described the importance of medical staff leadership and the participation of these leaders in achieving a patient

Comment on the WHO’s Draft Global Strategy and Plan of Action on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property

Comment submitted World Health Organization (WHO) by Dr. D. Wayne Taylor on the Draft Global Strategy and Plan of Action on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property as prepared by the WHO’s Intergovernmental Working Group. Read the full submission

Counterfeit Drugs: Definitions Matter, but Not as Much as Quality and Safety

Originally posted on Patients and Patents Dr. Lybecker, Assistant Professor, Colorado College December 15, 2008 The safety and efficacy of medicines is something that most patients in developed countries take for granted. Whether it’s a vaccination, prescription, or over the counter drug, most people assume that the medicines they’re getting are legitimate. While bogus drugs are

Quantifying cost avoidance possibilities by investing in the minimally-invasive mid-urethral sling surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence

Journal of Medical and Biological Sciences – Volume 3, Issue 1, 2009 D. Wayne Taylor, Director, Health Leadership Institute, McMaster University Elisabeth Fowler, Vice-President, Ward Health Strategies Urinary incontinence is one of the most prevalent, untreated chronic conditions for individuals living in Canada. The impact of incontinence on an individual’s quality of life is significant as