Is the quality of evidence in health technology assessment deteriorating over time? A case study on cancer drugs in Australia.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This study aimed to assess whether there have been changes in the quality of clinical evidence submitted for government subsidy decisions on cancer medicines over the past 15 years.

Methods

We reviewed public summary documents (PSDs) reporting on subsidy decisions made by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) from July 2005 to July 2020. Information was extracted on the study design, directness of comparison, sample size, and risk of bias (RoB). Changes in the quality of evidence were assessed using regression analysis.

Results

Overall, 214 PSDs were included in the analysis. Thirty-seven percent lacked direct comparative evidence. Thirteen percent presented observational or single-arm studies as the basis for decisions. Among PSDs presenting

SUBMITTER: Gao Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11574543 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature