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NCCN Will Convene National Policy Summit on Comparative Effectiveness in Cancer Care
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) is developing a methodology for the evaluation and application of the Comparative Effectiveness of health care technologies in cancer care. This work will culminate with the NCCN National Policy Summit on Comparative Effectiveness in Cancer Care to be held in December 2009.
July 22, 2009
FORT WASHINGTON, PA — The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) is an alliance of 21 of the world’s leading cancer centers dedicated to improving the effectiveness and efficiency of care for patients with cancer. NCCN recognizes the need for the oncology community to take the lead in asserting the appropriate application of Comparative Effectiveness analysis in a policy setting. To address this need, NCCN has convened a group of expert clinicians, methodologists, patient advocates, and payors to make recommendations regarding the appropriate use of Comparative Effectiveness in oncology.
“It is past time that expert clinicians who see patients every day and who are dedicated to providing effective and efficient care determine the direction for a process of Comparative Effectiveness that will significantly impact the options available to patients with cancer”, says William T. McGivney, PhD, CEO of NCCN.
“NCCN believes that the primary objective of Comparative Effectiveness should be to improve patient outcomes while enhancing efficiency. As leaders in guideline development, NCCN has the unique ability to apply our tremendous expertise in collaboration with other constituencies to establish recommendations that clinicians will support”, says Al. B. Benson, III, MD, Chairman of the Board of the NCCN, Associate Director for Clinical Investigations, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.
NCCN has established an internal committee and a Comparative Effectiveness Work Group comprised of members with expertise in clinical oncology, guideline development, and Comparative Effectiveness research. This NCCN Work Group will deliver a white paper with the intent to drive the national policy process on Comparative Effectiveness by year’s end. The recommendations for the NCCN Work Group will be announced at a National Summit that is being planned for December of this year.