Workshop on Meta-analysis and Health Economics

Ludhiana, April 27, 2018: A workshop on “Meta-analysis and Health-economic modelling” in clinical research was conducted at AccuScript Consultancy, Ansal Plaza, Ludhiana on 25th & 26th April. The objective of the workshop was to apprise the participants of the tools used in meta-analysis of clinical research data. Meta-analysis provides statistics for a holistic interpretation of clinical trials data conducted on multiple drugs and populations. Mr.Jagmohan Verma, a leading health economist and consultant (HEOR, Evidence, Pricing & Access), with a number of HEOR companies like Heron, Paraxel, Bresmed, Capita India etc, was the key speaker and moderator on the workshop.

Dr. P. K. Khanna (Advisor Research and Administration and Ex-Registrar, PAU, Ludhiana) was the chief guest on the occasion. In his address, Dr.Khanna emphasized the need and importance ofintegration of clinical researchin healthcare system in India. The workshop was attended by various industry expertsDr. Rowena Hughes, Dr. Rajinder Chawla, Dr. Anoop Agarwal(Ex-Prof, Gulf Medical University, UAE) and the upcoming clinical researchers of the area.

Dr. Rowena Hughes (Director, Accuscript, UK)in her address to the participants elaborated on the drug pricing and economic policies of the western world vis-à-vis Indian systems. She said the western system is well knit with a scientific linkage of the payers (health insurance companies or the National Healthcare Systems) and the pharmaceutical companies along with the clinical researchers; whereas the Indian system and the drug pricing policies are still in their infancy.

During the two days’ workshop, Mr. Jagmohan acquainted the attendees to the importance of high quality systematic review, rationale of meta-analysis in evidence-based medicine, heterogeneity, meta-analysis bias, direct-indirect-network meta-analysis, methodologies in meta-analysis and economic modeling. Hands on experience was imparted on different software’s available for meta-analysis. The worshop was a huge success as it gaveinsight into the critical role of meta-analysis in clinical research. The certificates and prizes were given away by Dr.Rajinder Chawla, Director, AccuScript India.