On Friday, CADTH’s Pharmaceutical Reviews Update – Issue 43 introduced a number of updates pertaining to its Reimbursement Reviews procedures. These include:

• Budget Impact Analysis (BIA) Consultation: CADTH is seeking stakeholder feedback on its draft BIA template tool. The tool is an optional resource to support manufacturer submissions to CADTH’s Drug Reimbursement Review program. The consultation remains open until February 22, 2024.
• Proportionate Approach: Two updates were announced following through on CADTH’s commitment (announced in June 2023) to explore opportunities to streamline aspects of reimbursement reviews based on product or situation complexity.
  • NEW Streamlined CADTH Economic Reports: Effective immediately, a streamlined economic review report approach will be applied in situations where the sponsor has filed a cost utility analysis, but CADTH has assessed the drug is unlikely to provide greater health benefits versus currently reimbursed comparators. CADTH may not conduct reanalyses of the sponsor’s economic model if conditions for a cost-minimization analysis (CMA) are met.
  • Revised Criteria for Cost-Minimization Analyses: CADTH no longer requires that a CMA must demonstrate cost savings to be accepted as part of the sponsor submission provided the other criteria for CMA are met.
• Patient Representation at Reconsideration Meetings: Sponsors are now welcome to invite a patient representative to reconsideration meetings in addition to a clinician representative.

According to Jennifer Haig, PDCI’s Director of HTA & Health Economics, these changes continue to signal a shift in CADTH’s approach towards more pragmatism and patient inclusion throughout application of its procedures. “PDCI has advocated for patient representation at these meetings,” said Haig, “and we are delighted to see this evolution officially reflected in the procedural update.” For more information, please see CADTH’s Pharmaceutical Reviews Update – Issue 43 or contact Jennifer Haig, PDCI’s Director of HTA & Health Economics to discuss how these changes may affect upcoming Reimbursement Review submissions.