Earlier this month, the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) initiated an assessment of the comparative clinical effectiveness and value of cystic fibrosis therapies. The report will focus on elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (VX-445), the triple-combination therapy currently under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

ICER is an independent nonprofit research institute that assesses whether the benefit a medication delivers to patients is aligned with its current cost. This is referred to as a cost-effectiveness analysis. ICER's report will look at how well the triple combination works, how it compares to available treatments, and the relative value it provides to patients and the health care system overall. Policymakers and insurance companies may use the ICER analysis as one source of information to help inform coverage decisions and better understand the value of the triple combination.

Throughout the 8-month development of their evaluation, ICER invites people with CF to participate in the process to help inform and shape their final report. The first opportunity to provide input runs through Sept. 25.  

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will provide feedback to ICER throughout the process to help them understand cystic fibrosis and the complexities of the disease. Our goal is to help ensure any assessment of CF therapies reflects the experiences and insights of people with CF, their loved ones, and their clinicians, and to ensure that all people with CF have access to high quality, specialized care.

The final ICER report will be released in April 2020.