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Filename QALYcovid-PB.pdf
Filesize 257 KB
Version 1
Date added March 30, 2020
Downloaded 7634 times
Category COVID, Life Sciences, Policy Briefs

Author William S. Smith

Date: March  31, 2020

This report examines how the QALY methodology to determine drug treatment value threatens to discriminate against older adults by placing a lower value on treatments that would extend the life of or improve quality of life for older patients.  This clear bias against providing access to therapies to seniors comes at a critical and especially vulnerable time for older Americans given the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).  The report concludes that the QALY methodology, utilized most notably by the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER), has the potential to deny seniors’ access to high-quality, life-saving treatments.