Electronic Health Record (EHR) Data: Modernizing the Pharmaceutical Research ProcessA life sciences perspective |
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Deloitte’s insights on pharmaceutical industry applications for Electronic Health Records (EHRs) provides an overview of how Life Sciences companies should approach leveraging EHR data for research purposes. Reviewing the weak pipelines and generic threats faced by traditional pharmaceuticals, the paper makes a case for a better connected and informed R&D process. After applying EHR data capabilities to some familiar R&D issues and positioning EHRs as a critical component of the future healthcare market, Deloitte recommends an approach to ensuring that EHRs are a key driver of success in drug development.
The need for large pharmaceutical companies to improve their drug development process is well documented. There is no clear response to the ascendancy of generic drugs - increased spending on pipelines and in-licensing agreements are not bearing sufficient fruit, increasing the amount of revenue going off patent and subjected to predation. Increased late stage failures are dramatically driving up costs per approved compound, and enhanced regulatory regimes are delaying the speed at which drugs can be brought to market.
At the same time, traditional R&D organizations have failed to integrate emerging information technologies into their operating models. Going forward, successful development efforts will depend on a smarter, better informed research process. This translational approach - one driven by enhanced data connectivity and communications across phases and functions - will come to define the R&D organization of the future, driving efficiencies and increasing probabilities of success across all phases.
As part of this revolution, EHRs will become increasing powerful tools for a variety of purposes, influencing a variety of research functions. Uses range from target identification and lead optimization to biomarker validation, and show the potential to dramatically reduce costs by increasing the ability of researchers to terminate compounds early.
While the market for EHRs is young, adoption rates are increasing, and the wealth of data becoming available could inform markedly different approaches to exploratory research. Changes in government policy and physician behavior are key drivers of this trend, and show no signs of relenting. The challenges that stand in the way of a fully developed EHR market are certain to crumble in time. The Business opportunities for EHRs include stronger research, more efficient clinical trial conduct, and improved filing and post market surveillance. Near term incremental benefits from adopting EHRs will enable companies to capitalize on the major long term opportunities.
The framework for leveraging EHRs requires starting with a baseline of capabilities. The approach recommends setting a goal around EHR use and adopting an explicit strategy for achieving it, and then building the business case and value proposition and driving buy-in across the organization. How an organization prepares itself to take advantage of the EHR opportunity requires an integrated strategy and extensive planning – Deloitte is uniquely positioned to help its clients navigate the challenge.
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Electronic Health Record Data: Modernizing the Pharmaceutical Research Process
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