title: The DERP: is it an effective methodology?
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Eagan, Minnesota, USA. Al_Heaton@bluecrossmn.com
authors.forename: Alan H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Heaton
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003657:Decision Making; D017723:Drug Utilization Review / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005569:Formularies as Topic; D006265:Health Care Coalitions; D006801:Humans; D010606:Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee