[Abstract] How to secure better outcomes for everybody in asthma management: the international-medicines use review health technology assessment (international-MUR HTA)

Abstract

Aims: This project is looking at the development and application of the novel tool (International–Medicines-Use-Review-Health-Technology-Assessment; International-MUR HTA) in community practice that for the first time is able to meet better asthma control and secure added value service in asthma management. More specifically it allows to: evaluate the quality of care delivered in terms of economic impact (for patient-provider-society), health outcomes and patient benefits; collect real-world evidence and evaluate longterm effect of care; provide different stakeholders with evidence-based information that would help formulate health policies in community practice that are safe, effective, patient-focused and cost-effective, balancing access to innovation and cost containment. Crucially, the tool can also support the delivery of a cost-effective and cost-saving intervention for asthma patients based on the success of the Italian-Medicines-Use-Review (I-MUR) trial [1].

Methods: Evidence from the Italian-Medicine-Use-Review (I-MUR) trial showed that the I-MUR intervention provided by the community pharmacists in asthma is effective, cost-saving and cost-effective.1 The trial allowed to model a novel framework (International-MUR-HTA) that would enable to routinely deliver the intervention, but also collect and analyse patient relevant data on its clinical-effectiveness, quality-of-life and cost-effectiveness. I-MUR-HTA was discussed within three expert-panel discussions including policy-makers, commissioners, academics, healthcare-professionals and patientrepresentatives in Italy,2 UK3 and Brussels/Europe.4 The current plan includes testing the use of the tool in RW environment across European regions.

Results: Evidence collected from the expert discussions confirmed that International-MUR-HTA information is relevant to meet current NICE target for cost-effective service delivery and this is what is needed to support the evaluation of innovative effective and cost-effective health policies and promote their implementation across nations. Its implementation is underway and real-world pilots are planned to take place in different European regions.

Conclusion: the International-MUR-HTA appears to be an innovative tool to promote active patient involvement into policy-decision-making and community service implementation.