Comparative Effectiveness Research Underway At 28 Research Centers

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"You hear the pitch in drug ads all the time: 'Ask your doctor if this medication is right for you,'" reports MSNBC. However, evidence to show whether a treatment is appropriate for a given patient is often scarce. Matching therapies to patients is further complicated by vast difference in how people respond to medicines. However, a national push for so-called comparative effectiveness research could make that job easier. The economic stimulus package includes $1 billion to support the research.

But, it's not entirely new. Already, 28 research centers funded by the government's Agency for Health care Research and Quality (AHRQ) have produced a wealth of findings on treatments for many common, chronic conditions. MSNBC outlines some preventive steps and drug treatments for common illnesses that are supported by the evidence. For instance, African-Americans may consider combination therapies that include diuretics and drugs for high blood pressure (Laliberte, 7/22).

This information was reprinted from kaiserhealthnews.org with kind permission from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives and sign up for email delivery at kaiserhealthnews.org.

© Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.

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