Does the USA need a national health technology assessor?

In recent years, a small non-profit research organization in Boston, Massachusetts, has quietly acquired a significant amount of influence over pricing negotiations in the gargantuan US market for prescription pharmaceuticals.

Founded in the mid-2000s by Steven Pearson, a physician and bioethicist, the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) seeks to assess the cost-effectiveness of new health technologies, issuing comprehensive reports that take into account concepts such as value thresholds and the quality-adjusted life year (QALY).

Researched and prepared with participation from industry experts and with the active involvement of stakeholders attending public meetings, these reports frequently determine that a drugmaker’s recommended retail price renders the therapy non-cost effective, providing helpful guidelines on how much of a discount needs to be provided.