Projects include creation of an enhanced “core value dossier” supporting reimbursement for a novel oncology drug and development of a “relative medical value index” framework to help prioritize pipeline projects and highlight opportunities to expand an individual drug study plan to address payer needs.

Industry welcomed the initiatives, which included making National Health Service clinical data more widely available and strengthening NICE's role.

As comparative effectiveness research grows in importance, drug manufacturers need to factor it, as well as payer evidence needs, into product development decisions, Novartis Head of Comparative Effectiveness Research and Communications Amy Rudolph says.