National Pharmaceutical Council on Economic Stimulus Package: Comparative Effectiveness Research Funding Should Target Improvements in Quality of Pa...( WASHINGTON Feb. 17 -- Natio...),Health

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National Pharmaceutical Council President Dan Leonard today released the following statement on the economic stimulus package, which includes $1.1 billion for comparative effectiveness research (CER):

"By signing the economic stimulus package into law, President Obama has made a major investment in America's future. The $1.1 billion for comparative effectiveness research also is a major investment in ensuring quality, patient-centered health care in this country.

"This research is a key part of the practice of evidence-based medicine. It is intended to ensure that patients receive the most appropriate care based on their individual needs and conditions through medical decision-making that uses the best available scientific and clinical knowledge.

"However, as Congress moves forward with the framework for CER, it is critically important that funding be targeted to improve the overall quality of patient care and that the research conducted examines all aspects of health care, including drugs, devices, and other medical treatments. Establishing an open and transparent process for the prioritization of comparative effectiveness research topics will be the next critical step toward ensuring that sound evidence leads to quality care."

NPC's overarching mission is to sponsor and conduct scientific analyses of the appropriate use of pharmaceuticals and the clinical and economic value of innovation. The organization's strategic focus is on evidence-based medicine (EBM) for health care decision-making, to ensure that patients have access to high-quality care. NPC was established in 1953 and is supported by the nation's major research-based pharmaceutical companies. For more information, visit www.npcnow.org.