Early benefit assessment (EBA) in Germany: analysing decisions 18 months after introducing the new AMNOG legislation

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer review

Authors

  • Jörg Ruof
  • Friedrich Wilhelm Schwartz
  • J. Matthias Schulenburg
  • Charalabos Markos Dintsios

External Research Organisations

  • F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG
  • Hannover Medical School (MHH)
  • German Association of Research-based Pharmaceutical Companies (vfa)
  • University Hospital Düsseldorf
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Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)577-589
Number of pages13
JournalEuropean Journal of Health Economics
Volume15
Issue number6
Early online date16 Jun 2013
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2014

Abstract

Objectives: Since the introduction of the German health care reform in January 2011, an early benefit assessment (EBA) is required for all new medicines. Pharmaceutical manufacturers have to submit a benefit dossier for evaluation by the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). A final decision is made by the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA). The aim of this investigation was to analyse the outcomes 18 months after introduction of the new legislation and to identify critical areas requiring further discussion and development. Methods: All EBAs commenced prior to June 2012 were included. The G-BA website was used to obtain manufacturers' benefit dossiers, IQWiG assessments, and G-BA decisions. Four areas of interest were analysed: levels of additional benefit, appropriate comparative therapy (ACT), patient-relevant endpoints, and adverse events. Results: Twenty-seven EBAs were analysed. IQWiG stated a benefit in 50 % of EBAs, whereas G-BA stated a benefit in 63 %, but only in 50 % of identified subgroups and 40 % of patients involved. In 12 EBAs, the ACT suggested by G-BA differed from the comparator used in phase III trials. The G-BA reported no benefits on health-related quality of life. Discrepancies arose in morbidity outcomes such as 'progression-free survival' and 'sustained virological response'. Categorisation and balancing of adverse events was conducted within various assessments. Conclusions: Considerable variance was observed in the levels of additional benefit reported by pharmaceutical manufacturers, IQWiG and G-BA. The areas of disagreement included ACT selection, definition of subgroups and patient-relevant endpoints, and classification and balancing of adverse events.

Keywords

    (Early) benefit assessment, AMNOG, Appropriate comparative therapy, Health care reform, Market access

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Sustainable Development Goals

Cite this

Early benefit assessment (EBA) in Germany: analysing decisions 18 months after introducing the new AMNOG legislation. / Ruof, Jörg; Schwartz, Friedrich Wilhelm; Schulenburg, J. Matthias et al.
In: European Journal of Health Economics, Vol. 15, No. 6, 07.2014, p. 577-589.

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer review

Ruof J, Schwartz FW, Schulenburg JM, Dintsios CM. Early benefit assessment (EBA) in Germany: analysing decisions 18 months after introducing the new AMNOG legislation. European Journal of Health Economics. 2014 Jul;15(6):577-589. Epub 2013 Jun 16. doi: 10.1007/s10198-013-0495-y
Ruof, Jörg ; Schwartz, Friedrich Wilhelm ; Schulenburg, J. Matthias et al. / Early benefit assessment (EBA) in Germany : analysing decisions 18 months after introducing the new AMNOG legislation. In: European Journal of Health Economics. 2014 ; Vol. 15, No. 6. pp. 577-589.
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abstract = "Objectives: Since the introduction of the German health care reform in January 2011, an early benefit assessment (EBA) is required for all new medicines. Pharmaceutical manufacturers have to submit a benefit dossier for evaluation by the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). A final decision is made by the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA). The aim of this investigation was to analyse the outcomes 18 months after introduction of the new legislation and to identify critical areas requiring further discussion and development. Methods: All EBAs commenced prior to June 2012 were included. The G-BA website was used to obtain manufacturers' benefit dossiers, IQWiG assessments, and G-BA decisions. Four areas of interest were analysed: levels of additional benefit, appropriate comparative therapy (ACT), patient-relevant endpoints, and adverse events. Results: Twenty-seven EBAs were analysed. IQWiG stated a benefit in 50 % of EBAs, whereas G-BA stated a benefit in 63 %, but only in 50 % of identified subgroups and 40 % of patients involved. In 12 EBAs, the ACT suggested by G-BA differed from the comparator used in phase III trials. The G-BA reported no benefits on health-related quality of life. Discrepancies arose in morbidity outcomes such as 'progression-free survival' and 'sustained virological response'. Categorisation and balancing of adverse events was conducted within various assessments. Conclusions: Considerable variance was observed in the levels of additional benefit reported by pharmaceutical manufacturers, IQWiG and G-BA. The areas of disagreement included ACT selection, definition of subgroups and patient-relevant endpoints, and classification and balancing of adverse events.",
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AU - Schwartz, Friedrich Wilhelm

AU - Schulenburg, J. Matthias

AU - Dintsios, Charalabos Markos

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