Our summary
Health technology assessment (HTA) bodies typically prefer local data to evaluate therapy usage and outcomes in real-world scenarios. However, this local data might not always be readily available or sufficient. Researchers often turn to data from other countries to address this gap, but ensuring its applicability across diverse nations is a complex task.
In this study, researchers from NICE and Flatiron partnered to tackle this challenge by utilizing the US-based, nationwide EHR-derived de-identified Flatiron Health database to replicate a recent UK study conducted between June 2016 and March 2018, focusing on the treatment patterns and outcomes for patients receiving first-line therapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (aNSCLC).
Why this matters
The findings from this study play a crucial role in HTA efforts, demonstrating the value of using properly adjusted US data to assess long-term overall survival in patients with aNSCLC. It not only addresses local data gaps but also emphasizes the urgent need for precise methodological guidelines and further research. By informing healthcare decisions and underscoring the feasibility of employing international data sources, this research shapes comprehensive and globally applicable HTA evaluations, making significant strides in improving healthcare decision-making processes.