Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development

About: Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Drug development & Clinical trial. The organization has 78 authors who have published 258 publications receiving 16047 citations.

Charting a Course for the Patient Centricity Movement

Abstract: The concept of patient-centric drug development represents a fundamental and profound change to a product-centric paradigm that has served patients well during the past five decades, but that is showing signs of being outdated and unsustainable. Patient centricity addresses the need to optimize research and development processes and practices, and to achieve meaningful support from, and engagement with, the public, patients, and the broader healthcare community. This article explores the movement’s core tenets and activities, and addresses its expected challenges.

Are commercial disease managers willing and prepared to enter the medicare market

Abstract: Recently, the public policy debate on Medicare reform has turned to adding a prescription drug benefit. Currently, approximately a third of Medicare beneficiaries lack pharmaceutical coverage. Lack of coverage appears to be particularly detrimental to the chronically ill Medicare subpopulation that often needs prescription medications on a daily basis. Several Congressional proposals would establish disease management demonstration projects concurrently with a prescription drug benefit. Theoretically, implementation of disease management programs that improve coordination of drug therapy with hospital and physician care services would contribute to a more cost-effective drug benefit. This paper presents results from a Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development survey describing current disease management practice in the United States. The survey results suggest willingness on the part of commercial disease managers to negotiate performance- and (insurance) risk-based contracts with Medicare. However, at present, disease managers enroll only a small number of Medicare beneficiaries; less than 20% of their total enrollment. Disease managers also have very limited experience with government agency contracts, which comprise less than 5% of their total contracts. In addition, comparatively few disease managers surveyed focus specifically on diseases that are highly prevalent among Medicare beneficiaries, such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, End-Stage Renal Disease, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. These survey findings suggest that disease managers are not currently fully prepared to enter the Medicare market en masse.

Are Pharmacists a Viable Channel for Education about Clinical Trial Participation

Abstract: Clinical research is fundamental to improving public health, yet public awareness of and engagement in clinical research is very low, as is public trust in the clinical research enterprise. Hypothesizing that pharmacists represent an untapped resource to educate and engage the public about clinical research, this study examines public perspectives on receiving clinical research information from pharmacists. In a 19-item survey, the majority (72%) of the 2,650 respondents were very or somewhat interested in receiving clinical trial information from a pharmacist; but <1% currently receive it and <2% ever asked. Primary interests include information about finding a trial, safety of trials, and ways to learn more; printed information provided at the pharmacy or by email are preferred methods of receiving information. Interest varies significantly among respondent groups, but excepting non-pharmacy users, all respondents desire information at rates greater than 65%, regardless of demographics, knowledge or experience of clinical trials, and patient-pharmacist relationships. These results suggest that pharmacy-directed outreach and recruitment strategies could see high rates of success.