Scott Ramsey, MD, PhD, on Health Economics and Outcomes Research in Oncology

Scott Ramsey, MD, PhD, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, says that right now, only a small portion of health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) fits into the oncology model.

“We’re focused very much on how to define and describe outcomes, but we’re doing very little to look at the cost side or the value side of the equation,” he says.

Dr Ramsey adds that the ideal role for HEOR in cancer therapy is to “build a portfolio of evidence that summarizes value as represented by the patient and the system that is paying for the products.” This would assist payers in making a decision as to whether to promote or restrict use of a particular product based on the value it provides.