The value of observational study data in healthcare decision making: An Indian perspective

Although efficacy and safety data from randomized clinical trials (RCT) is considered to be the key to evidence generation, it is no longer adequate to meet all needs of Indian healthcare decision makers. Supplementing RCT data with robust observational studies data (OSD) as a decision making tool is being increasingly used by many payer advisors. Health Technology Assessment (HTA) agencies and healthcare bodies meaningfully use OSD for numerous purposes including, to confirm results of RCTs, justify utility estimates in economic models and demonstrate durability of effects of healthcare interventions. The phenomenal growth of Indian healthcare field has necessitated the need for robust HTA involving RCT data and OSD for better decision making. OSD may come a long way in supplementing Indian stakeholders in making rational healthcare decisions. It will be interesting to see how frequently OSD will be utilized in the Indian healthcare sector, and also how meaningfully, in the future.