PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Marc Clausen
AU  - Chloe Mighton
AU  - Ruhi Kiflen
AU  - Agnes Sebastian
AU  - Wei Fang Dai
AU  - Rebecca E. Mercer
AU  - Jaclyn M. Beca
AU  - Wanrudee Isaranuwatchai
AU  - Kelvin K.W. Chan
AU  - Yvonne Bombard
TI  - Use of real-world evidence in cancer drug funding decisions in Canada: a qualitative study of stakeholders’ perspectives
AID  - 10.9778/cmajo.20200118
DP  - 2020 Oct 01
TA  - CMAJ Open
PG  - E772--E778
VI  - 8
IP  - 4
4099  - http://www.cmajopen.ca/content/8/4/E772.short
4100  - http://www.cmajopen.ca/content/8/4/E772.full
SO  - CMAJ2020 Oct 01; 8
AB  - Background: Real-world evidence (RWE) can provide postmarket data to inform whether funded cancer drugs yield expected outcomes and value for money, but it is unclear how to incorporate RWE into Canadian cancer drug funding decisions. As part of the Canadian Real-World Evidence Value for Cancer Drugs (CanREValue) Collaboration, this study aimed to explore stakeholder perspectives on the current state of RWE in Canada to inform a Canadian framework for use of RWE in cancer drug funding decisions.Methods: This was a qualitative descriptive study. Qualitative semistructured interviews were conducted from April to July 2018. Participants were Canadian and international stakeholders who had experience with RWE and drug funding decision-making. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data.Results: Thirty stakeholders participated in the study. Five themes were identified. Stakeholders indicated that RWE had value in cancer drug funding decisions. However, a cultural shift is needed to adopt RWE in decision-making. Further, the Canadian infrastructure for real-world data is currently inadequate for decision-making, and there is a need for committed investment in building capacity to collect and analyze RWE. Finally, there is a need for increased collaboration among key stakeholders.Interpretation: The findings of this study suggest that if RWE is to be used in drug funding decisions, there is a need for a cultural shift, improved data infrastructure, committed investment in capacity building and increased stakeholder collaboration. Together with local stakeholder engagement, application of these findings may contribute to optimizing implementation of RWE.