Health Affairs, 25, no. 4 (2006): w276-w278 (Published online 6 June 2006) doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.25.w276 © 2006 by Project HOPE	New Online   Senate Health Reform Bill   Rewarding Providers   Public Option Policy Brief   Health Reform & Abortion   Delivery System Reform

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PERSPECTIVE

The DERP: Is It An Effective Methodology?

The Drug Effectiveness Review Project (DERP) is a process with challenges as well as rewards. This Perspective explores the issues that hamper the DERP’s effectiveness and discusses the changes it has generated in the drug review process for pharmacy and therapeutics (P&T) committees. The need for more timely and substantial evidence is a key barrier to all drug review processes; here I offer some alternative methods for comparing new drugs that have few comparators. A perfect process is a long way off. However, continuing to explore the methodologies in place today can lead us to more effective processes and metrics.

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