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Thomsen MDT, Knudsen LE. Editorial: Women in science - regulatory science 2023. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1389438. [PMID: 38523912 PMCID: PMC10957534 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1389438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
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Hey C, Hunter A, Muller M, Roux NL, Bennett S, Nowok K, Oliveira L. A Future European Scientific Dialogue Regulatory Framework: Connecting the Dots. Clin Ther 2024; 46:293-299. [PMID: 38228459 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2023.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
The regulatory framework of the European Union (EU) offers multiple and valuable options for Scientific Advice (SA). However, at a time of increasing scientific complexity and global competition, navigating the SA landscape may be challenging. Such challenges are related to the technicalities of the framework itself, as well as to fundamental changes in the development of promising therapeutics. This article provides an overview of these challenges and reflects on the ways in which the already available SA options could be consolidated and optimized for building an integrated, easy-to-navigate process. The key elements of the proposal are improved orientation and navigation support, a simplified process of managing parallel interactions with multiple bodies, competitive SA timelines, consistency and harmonization across stakeholders, a strengthened horizon scanning to increase network preparedness, and a mechanism for building an institutional memory. The article builds on ongoing dialogues driven by the European Medicines Agency and the European Medicines Regulatory Network, and contributes the viewpoint of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries on the ways in which the EU SA framework needs to evolve to provide effective Scientific Dialogue throughout the medicine lifecycle. The article is timely because of the current discussion on the future Scientific Dialogue framework and may inform forthcoming legislative changes in the draft General Pharma Legislation revision and how they are practically implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Nadege Le Roux
- Celgene, a Bristol Myers Squibb company, Boudry, Switzerland
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Goudarzi Z, Marzaleh MA, Nikfar S, Kebriaeezadeh A, Zenouz RY, Abdollahiasl A, Nouhi M. Towards greater impact in health technology assessment: System dynamic approach for new and emerging technologies in Iran. Daru 2023:10.1007/s40199-023-00483-x. [PMID: 37917419 DOI: 10.1007/s40199-023-00483-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE As classical health technology assessment models fail to predict the complexities of related impacts, the application of modeling techniques such as systems dynamics simulation (SD) is essential. This study aimed to develop an SD model to predict the outcomes of access to a new medicine in Iran. METHODS This study extracted the important and influential variables in providing access to new pharmaceutical technologies by comprehensively reviewing previous research and combining the technical knowledge of experts in this field. The variables were incorporated into the systems thinking framework and modeled using dynamic systems tools, followed by simulation and testing in VENSIM. The model was piloted for deferoxamine and deferasirox in thalassemia. Various tests were used to evaluate the validity and reliability of the model. The model was designed for a ten-year horizon (2018-2028) for medicines selected as the pilot. RESULTS The variables extracted from the panel of experts encompassed the primary and short-term impacts of access to newly emerged medicine and long-term impacts regarding the economy, health, and society. After modeling, the leverage points presented for the problem with the greatest impact or effectiveness in access to new medicine included the policy determining the amount of medicine supply, the import and production of medicine, the prevalence and incidence of disease, insurance coverage, and treatment adherence. CONCLUSION The SD models allow the researchers to evaluate the efficiency and health outcomes of a new pharmaceutical more precisely in the health system in Iran.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Goudarzi
- Faculty of Medical Information and Management, Health Human Resources Research Centre, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Qasr Al-Dasht St., 27 Alley, Shiraz, 7133654361, Iran
| | - Milad Ahmadi Marzaleh
- Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, Faculty of Medical Information and Management, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Qasr Al-Dasht St., 27 Alley, Shiraz, 7133654361, Iran
| | - Shekoufeh Nikfar
- Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmaceutical Administration, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Enghelab Square,16 Azar St., Tehran, 1417614411, Iran
| | - Abbas Kebriaeezadeh
- Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmaceutical Administration, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Enghelab Square,16 Azar St., Tehran, 1417614411, Iran
| | - Reza Yousefi Zenouz
- Department of Operations and Information Technology Management, Faculty of Management, Kharazmi University, Tehran Between Shahid Qorani and Ostad Nejatollahi, Somia St, No 242, Tehran, 159996415, Iran
| | - Akbar Abdollahiasl
- Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmaceutical Administration, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Enghelab Square,16 Azar St., Tehran, 1417614411, Iran.
| | - Mojtaba Nouhi
- National Institute for Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Keshahvarz Blvd, Vasal Shirazi Street, Bozorgmehr East Street, Number 70, Tehran, 62921000, Iran
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Revez A, Kirrane M, Thomson F. Greening procurement: Exploring evolving practices in an Irish university. Heliyon 2023; 9:e21787. [PMID: 38027896 PMCID: PMC10665726 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Including green criteria in the public procurement of goods and services requires increased expertise, new methodologies, more significant monitoring efforts and more support towards innovation. These added complexities influence procurement professionals and their everyday practices. This article explores the under-researched issue of practitioner-led beliefs, attitudes, and their accounts of Green Public Procurement (GPP). We delve into a qualitative case study of University College Cork (UCC) in Ireland to explore the journey of procurement professionals in introducing GPP across the various sectors and departments of the university. We draw from interviews, a horizon scanning workshop, and secondary materials to capture and build on the expertise of a broad range of staff in UCC with experience in this area. We use this collective viewpoint to make sense of GPP and to position such views relative to ongoing policy priorities, looking at past, present, and future outlooks. The research shows that efforts have been made to introduce green criteria in new tenders. These gradually became wider opportunities to develop competencies, skills, and stimuli to implement more impactful strategies. The research also shows underdeveloped practices around supporting innovation, monitoring, and post-award evaluation. Overall, the paper offers a unique perspective based on the day-to-day practice of public procurement practitioners. While the case study is geographically bound and therefore presents difficulties in replicating findings, it provides a new lens for researching GPP adoption through interaction with practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Revez
- MaREI Centre, Environmental Research Institute University College Cork. Ellen Hutchins Building, University College Cork, Lee Road, Cork, T23 XE10, Ireland
| | - Maria Kirrane
- Office of Sustainability and Climate Action, President's Office, Ground Floor, Hub, University College Cork, College Road, Cork, T12 K8AF, Ireland
| | - Fiona Thomson
- Procurement and Contracts Office, University College Cork, College Rd, 6 Elderwood, Cork, T45 VH39, Ireland
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McCormack J. Horizon scanning: what next for bovine TB control in England? Ir Vet J 2023; 76:18. [PMID: 37525221 PMCID: PMC10391754 DOI: 10.1186/s13620-023-00242-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
England is currently in year nine of its 25-year strategy to achieve TB freedom. This talk will speculate on what new tools and approaches could be introduced in the future to help us achieve our goal.Using Defra's response to the independent review of its TB programme as a starting point and building on the plenary talk by the UK CVO, I will look at some opportunities that could arise under the different aspects of the response.Firstly, how best to help farmers reduce their herd TB risk through better informed purchasing decisions will be considered, including looking at the recent publication of the health ratings for every cattle herd in England.Cattle vaccination, and its associated DIVA test could be the biggest change in Tb control in England in many years while the related development of a molecularly defined tuberculin which could become the default testing reagent.Advances in whole genome sequencing will allow us to sequence the genome of M.bovis isolated from most infected herds in England and these data could unlock a variety of opportunities from tracing the spread of infection to ground-truthing the efficacy of testing and epidemiological assessment of breakdowns.Finally, the move to vaccination as the primary way of controlling TB in badgers with culling used very sparingly will be considered using a case study of how a targeted badger cull successfully removed infection from an area in Cumbria and enabled the switch to vaccination.
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Otsuka K, Takata T, Sasaki H, Shikano M. Horizon Scanning in Tissue Engineering Using Citation Network Analysis. Ther Innov Regul Sci 2023; 57:810-822. [PMID: 37204641 PMCID: PMC10276778 DOI: 10.1007/s43441-023-00529-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Establishing a horizon scanning method is critical for identifying technologies that require new guidelines or regulations. We studied the application of bibliographic citation network analysis to horizon scanning. OBJECTIVE The possibility of applying the proposed method to interdisciplinary fields was investigated with the emphasis on tissue engineering and its example, three-dimensional bio-printing. METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS In all, 233,968 articles on tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, biofabrication, and additive manufacturing published between January 1, 1900 and November 3, 2021 were obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection. The citation network of the articles was analyzed for confirmation that the evolution of 3D bio-printing is reflected by tracking the key articles in the field. However, the results revealed that the major articles on the clinical application of 3D bio-printed products are located in clusters other than that of 3D bio-printers. We investigated the research trends in this field by analyzing the articles published between 2019 and 2021 and detected various basic technologies constituting tissue engineering, including microfluidics and scaffolds such as electrospinning and conductive polymers. The results suggested that the research trend of technologies required for product development and future clinical applications of the product are sometimes detected independently by bibliographic citation network analysis, particularly for interdisciplinary fields. CONCLUSION This method can be applied to the horizon scanning of an interdisciplinary field. However, identifying basic technologies of the targeted field and following the progress of research and the integration process of each component of technology are critical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kouhei Otsuka
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuya Takata
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hajime Sasaki
- Institute for Future Initiatives, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mayumi Shikano
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan.
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Soon-Sinclair JM, Nyarugwe S, Jack L. Food fraud and mitigating strategies of UK food supply chain during COVID-19. Food Control 2023; 148:109670. [PMID: 36748095 PMCID: PMC9894533 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2023.109670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Covid-19 had shown the vulnerability of the food supply chain and fraudsters may take advantage of the pandemic whilst the population needed a continuous supply of safe and quality food. The lack of monitoring and policing in the food supply chain may encourage fraudsters to upscale their operations. Previous studies had warned of a surge in fraudulent products due to COVID-19. This raised the question on whether food fraud had increased during the pandemic? This study aims to investigate food fraud during COVID-19 and how the food supply chain develops mitigating strategies against fraudulent activities. A mixed-method approach including survey and semi-structured interviews were conducted among UK food businesses. Two hundred and two agri-food businesses responded to the survey and 15 semi-structured interviews were conducted. The majority of the food businesses did not experience an increase of food fraud activities during COVID-19. Two thematic domains and ten sub-themes were identified from the data set. There was a heightened sense of anticipation and preparation for increased fraudulent activities during the pandemic. The main risk mitigating strategies included horizon scanning; developing and maintaining supplier relationship and assurance; understanding product characteristics, testing capabilities, conducting vulnerability assessments and training. Practical and cost-effective strategies for small and medium food businesses were recommended. This is the first empirical study on food fraud and mitigating strategies of the UK food supply chain during the pandemic. Our findings provide evidence for informing the policies and practices of the food regulatory authorities as well as best practices to protect the UK food supply chain against food fraud during exogenous shocks like COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Mei Soon-Sinclair
- Faculty of Allied-Health and Wellbeing, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE, UK
| | - Shingai Nyarugwe
- Faculty of Allied-Health and Wellbeing, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE, UK
| | - Lisa Jack
- School of Accounting, Economics and Finance, Faculty of Business and Law, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, PO1 3DE, UK
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Wouters OJ, Forman R, Anderson M, Mossialos E, McKee M. The launch of the EU Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA): Improving global pandemic preparedness? Health Policy 2023; 133:104844. [PMID: 37269803 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2023.104844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The crowded global health landscape has been joined by the European Union Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA). HERA will assume four broad areas of responsibility: horizon scanning for major health threats; research and development; support for capacity to manufacture drugs, vaccines, and equipment; and procuring and stockpiling key medical countermeasures. In this Health Reform Monitor article, we outline the reform process and describe HERA's structure and responsibilities, explore issues that arise from the creation of this new organisation, and suggest options for collaboration with existing bodies in Europe and beyond. The COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious disease outbreaks have shown the need to treat health as a cross-border issue, and there is now a broad consensus that greater direction and coordination at the European level is needed. This ambition has been matched with a considerable increase in EU funding to tackle cross-border health threats, and HERA can be used to deploy this funding in an effective manner. Yet this is contingent upon clearly defining its role and responsibilities vis-à-vis existing agencies to reduce redundancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier J Wouters
- Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE, United Kingdom.
| | - Rebecca Forman
- Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Anderson
- Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE, United Kingdom
| | - Elias Mossialos
- Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE, United Kingdom
| | - Martin McKee
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Green C, Bilyanska A, Bradley M, Dinsdale J, Hutt L, Backhaus T, Boons F, Bott D, Collins C, Cornell SE, Craig M, Depledge M, Diderich B, Fuller R, Galloway TS, Hutchison GR, Ingrey N, Johnson AC, Kupka R, Matthiessen P, Oliver R, Owen S, Owens S, Pickett J, Robinson S, Sims K, Smith P, Sumpter JP, Tretsiakova-McNally S, Wang M, Welton T, Willis KJ, Lynch I. A Horizon Scan to Support Chemical Pollution-Related Policymaking for Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Economies. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023; 42:1212-1228. [PMID: 36971460 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
While chemicals are vital to modern society through materials, agriculture, textiles, new technology, medicines, and consumer goods, their use is not without risks. Unfortunately, our resources seem inadequate to address the breadth of chemical challenges to the environment and human health. Therefore, it is important we use our intelligence and knowledge wisely to prepare for what lies ahead. The present study used a Delphi-style approach to horizon-scan future chemical threats that need to be considered in the setting of chemicals and environmental policy, which involved a multidisciplinary, multisectoral, and multinational panel of 25 scientists and practitioners (mainly from the United Kingdom, Europe, and other industrialized nations) in a three-stage process. Fifteen issues were shortlisted (from a nominated list of 48), considered by the panel to hold global relevance. The issues span from the need for new chemical manufacturing (including transitioning to non-fossil-fuel feedstocks); challenges from novel materials, food imports, landfills, and tire wear; and opportunities from artificial intelligence, greater data transparency, and the weight-of-evidence approach. The 15 issues can be divided into three classes: new perspectives on historic but insufficiently appreciated chemicals/issues, new or relatively new products and their associated industries, and thinking through approaches we can use to meet these challenges. Chemicals are one threat among many that influence the environment and human health, and interlinkages with wider issues such as climate change and how we mitigate these were clear in this exercise. The horizon scan highlights the value of thinking broadly and consulting widely, considering systems approaches to ensure that interventions appreciate synergies and avoid harmful trade-offs in other areas. We recommend further collaboration between researchers, industry, regulators, and policymakers to perform horizon scanning to inform policymaking, to develop our ability to meet these challenges, and especially to extend the approach to consider also concerns from countries with developing economies. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;00:1-17. © 2023 Crown copyright and The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. This article is published with the permission of the Controller of HMSO and the King's Printer for Scotland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Green
- Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, Chemicals, Pesticides and Hazardous Wastes Team, London, United Kingdom
| | - Antoaneta Bilyanska
- Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, Chemicals, Pesticides and Hazardous Wastes Team, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mags Bradley
- Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, Chemicals, Pesticides and Hazardous Wastes Team, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jason Dinsdale
- Horizon Scanning & Futures Team, Environment Agency, Horizon House, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Lorraine Hutt
- Environment Agency, Horizon House, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Backhaus
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Frank Boons
- IMP Innovation, Strategy and Sustainability, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - David Bott
- Head of Innovation, SCI, London, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Collins
- Department of Geography and Environmental Science, Soil Research Centre, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah E Cornell
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mark Craig
- Severn Trent Water, Darlington, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Depledge
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, United Kingdom
| | - Bob Diderich
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Paris, France
| | | | - Tamara S Galloway
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences: Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Gary R Hutchison
- School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Ingrey
- Landfill and Resources from Waste Team, Environment Agency, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | | | - Rachael Kupka
- The Global Alliance on Health and Pollution, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Robin Oliver
- Syngenta Crop Protection, Jealotts Hill Research Station, Bracknell, United Kingdom
| | - Stewart Owen
- AstraZeneca, Global Sustainability, Brixham, Devon, United Kingdom
| | - Susan Owens
- Newnham College, Cambridge University, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - John Pickett
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Sam Robinson
- School of History, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | - Kerry Sims
- Chemical Strategic & Regulatory Planning Team, Environment Agency, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Pete Smith
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - John P Sumpter
- Institute of Environment, Health and Societies, Brunel University, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Mengjiao Wang
- Greenpeace Research Laboratories, Innovation Centre Phase 2, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Tom Welton
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine J Willis
- Department of Zoology, Long-Term Ecology Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Iseult Lynch
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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O'Connor N, Thomson KH, Gill S, Jackson S, Wallace SA, Pearson F. A rapid priority setting exercise combining existing, emergent evidence with stakeholder knowledge identified broad topic uncertainties. J Clin Epidemiol 2023; 154:178-187. [PMID: 36464231 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2022.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The project aimed to rapidly identify priority topic uncertainties as a first step to identify future systematic review questions of pertinence to key international fecal incontinence (FI) stakeholders (patients, carers, health care professionals, policy makers and voluntary, community, or social enterprise representatives). The paper's aim is to share our methods, experience, and learning with other groups planning to deliver a rapid priority setting exercise. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING An evidence gap map incorporated three evidence streams: emerging evidence identified through horizon scanning; existing evidence identified through systematic searches of bibliographic databases; and FI stakeholder insights collected through an international survey. The evidence gap map was presented during an online workshop with stakeholders, where they shared their expertize to expand, refine, and rank topic uncertainties using ideation techniques, focus group discussions, consensus techniques, and online polling. RESULTS The multistep methods used to deliver this priority setting exercise resulted in identification of broad priority topic uncertainties. The methods appear to have high acceptability and engagement with participants but await full evaluation. CONCLUSION This project successfully followed robust methodology, building upon frameworks from published priority setting and evidence gap mapping projects while incorporating strong patient and public involvement components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole O'Connor
- Cochrane Incontinence, Population Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Evidence Synthesis Group, Population Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
| | - Katie H Thomson
- Evidence Synthesis Group, Population Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; NIHR Innovation Observatory, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Sean Gill
- NIHR Innovation Observatory, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Sara Jackson
- NIHR Innovation Observatory, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Sheila A Wallace
- Cochrane Incontinence, Population Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Evidence Synthesis Group, Population Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Fiona Pearson
- Evidence Synthesis Group, Population Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; NIHR Innovation Observatory, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Chodkowska-Miszczuk J, Starczewski T, Rogatka K, Lewandowska A, Martinat S. From adoration to damnation? Exploring role of media in shaping low-carbon economy in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Environ Dev Sustain 2022; 25:1-23. [PMID: 35693028 PMCID: PMC9166672 DOI: 10.1007/s10668-022-02446-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The leverage of the public narrative created and maintained by the media as a highly influential social actor is decisive, but also sensitive, in bringing about the energy transition and advancing towards a low-carbon economy. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has potential to slow down and deform the public acceptance of the above-mentioned processes as it is likely that the priorities of individual governments will be revisited and tailored to tackle the ongoing health crisis. We are replying to such a threat with this study that aims to reflect on the immense role of media in shaping a low-carbon economy in transitional economies. We are using Poland as an illustrative example to demonstrate how wide, colourful, and sometimes even confusing the low-carbon narrative might be. By means of employing the horizon scanning of the diverse types of media, we detected that media overwhelmingly affect and deform the ongoing discussions about the nuances of energy transition and benefits a low-carbon economy. We argue that political preferences of individual journalists (and publishing houses) in Poland tend to influence the style, depth, extent, and quality how the topic is covered and narrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Chodkowska-Miszczuk
- Department of Urban and Regional Development Studies, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Torun, Poland
| | - Tomasz Starczewski
- Department of Urban and Regional Development Studies, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Torun, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Rogatka
- Department of Urban and Regional Development Studies, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Torun, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Lewandowska
- Department of Urban and Regional Development Studies, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Torun, Poland
| | - Stanislav Martinat
- Present Address: Social, Economic and Geographic Sciences Group, The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, 8, Aberdeen, AB15 8QH UK
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Costello KE, Lynch SA, McAllen R, O'Riordan RM, Culloty SC. Assessing the potential for invasive species introductions and secondary spread using vessel movements in maritime ports. Mar Pollut Bull 2022; 177:113496. [PMID: 35272109 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Global shipping facilitates the introduction of invasive species and parasites via ballast water and hull fouling. Regional management of invasives may be strengthened by identifying the major routes in a network, to allow for targeted ship inspections. This study used cargo shipping records to establish the connectivity of shipping routes between ports in Ireland and other nations. 9291 records were analysed, investigating vessel residence and journey times. On average, vessels spent up to five days in port and less than five days at sea. However, there was strong variation, with general cargo ships recording up to 13 days in port. A horizon scan for species likely to invade in Ireland was incorporated for five species and their associated parasites: American razor clam, Asian shore crab, Brush clawed shore crab, Chinese mitten crab and American slipper limpet. Routes of concern are highlighted and a general framework for effective management is outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie E Costello
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Ireland; Aquaculture and Fisheries Development Centre, Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Ireland.
| | - Sharon A Lynch
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Ireland; Aquaculture and Fisheries Development Centre, Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - Rob McAllen
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - Ruth M O'Riordan
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Ireland; Aquaculture and Fisheries Development Centre, Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - Sarah C Culloty
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Ireland; Aquaculture and Fisheries Development Centre, Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Ireland; MaREI Centre, Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Ireland
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Takata T, Sasaki H, Yamano H, Honma M, Shikano M. Study on Horizon Scanning with a Focus on the Development of AI-Based Medical Products: Citation Network Analysis. Ther Innov Regul Sci 2021; 56:263-275. [PMID: 34811711 PMCID: PMC8854249 DOI: 10.1007/s43441-021-00355-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Horizon scanning for innovative technologies that might be applied to medical products and requires new assessment approaches to prepare regulators, allowing earlier access to the product for patients and an improved benefit/risk ratio. The purpose of this study is to confirm that citation network analysis and text mining for bibliographic information analysis can be used for horizon scanning of the rapidly developing field of AI-based medical technologies and extract the latest research trend information from the field. We classified 119,553 publications obtained from SCI constructed with the keywords “conventional,” “machine-learning,” or “deep-learning" and grouped them into 36 clusters, which demonstrated the academic landscape of AI applications. We also confirmed that one or two close clusters included the key articles on AI-based medical image analysis, suggesting that clusters specific to the technology were appropriately formed. Significant research progress could be detected as a quick increase in constituent papers and the number of citations of hub papers in the cluster. Then we tracked recent research trends by re-analyzing “young” clusters based on the average publication year of the constituent papers of each cluster. The latest topics in AI-based medical technologies include electrocardiograms and electroencephalograms (ECG/EEG), human activity recognition, natural language processing of clinical records, and drug discovery. We could detect rapid increase in research activity of AI-based ECG/EEG a few years prior to the issuance of the draft guidance by US-FDA. Our study showed that a citation network analysis and text mining of scientific papers can be a useful objective tool for horizon scanning of rapidly developing AI-based medical technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Takata
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hajime Sasaki
- Institute for Future Initiatives, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroko Yamano
- Institute for Future Initiatives, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masashi Honma
- Department of Pharmacy, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mayumi Shikano
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan.
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14
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Fujii E, Takata T, Yamano H, Honma M, Shimokawa M, Sasaki H, Shikano M. Study on Horizon Scanning by Citation Network Analysis and Text Mining: A Focus on Drug Development Related to T Cell Immune Response. Ther Innov Regul Sci 2021; 56:230-243. [PMID: 34811710 PMCID: PMC8608232 DOI: 10.1007/s43441-021-00351-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Certain innovative technologies applied to medical product development require novel evaluation approaches and/or regulations. Horizon scanning for such technologies will help regulators prepare, allowing earlier access to the product for patients and an improved benefit/risk ratio. This study investigates whether citation network analysis and text mining of scientific papers could be a tool for horizon scanning in the field of immunology, which has developed over a long period, and attempts to grasp the latest research trends. As the result of the analysis, the academic landscape of the immunology field was identified by classifying 90,450 papers (obtained from PubMED) containing the keyword “immune* and t lymph*” into 38 clusters. The clustering was indicative of the research landscape of the immunology field. To confirm this, immune checkpoint inhibitors were used as a retrospective test topic of therapeutics with new mechanisms of action. Retrospective clustering around immune checkpoint inhibitors was found, supporting this approach. The analysis of the research trends over the last 3 to 5 years in this field revealed several candidate topics, including ARID1A gene mutation, CD300e, and tissue resident memory T cells, which shows notable progress and should be monitored for future possible product development. Our results have demonstrated the possibility that citation network analysis and text mining of scientific papers can be a useful objective tool for horizon scanning of life science fields such as immunology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Fujii
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, 1-3 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, 162-8601, Japan
| | - Takuya Takata
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, 1-3 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, 162-8601, Japan
| | - Hiroko Yamano
- Institute for Future Initiatives, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Japan
| | - Masashi Honma
- Department of Pharmacy, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Japan
| | - Masafumi Shimokawa
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sanyo-Onoda City University, Sanyoonoda-shi, Japan
| | - Hajime Sasaki
- Institute for Future Initiatives, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Japan
| | - Mayumi Shikano
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, 1-3 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, 162-8601, Japan.
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15
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Young CM, Quinn C, Trusheim MR. Durable cell and gene therapy potential patient and financial impact: US projections of product approvals, patients treated, and product revenues. Drug Discov Today 2021; 27:17-30. [PMID: 34537333 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Durable cell and gene therapies potentially transform patient lives, but payers fear unsustainable costs arising from the more than 1000 therapies in the development pipeline. A novel multi-module Markov chain Monte Carlo-based model projects product-indication approvals, treated patients, and product revenues. We estimate a mean 63.5 (54-74 5th to 95th percentile range) cumulative US product-indication approvals through 2030, with a mean 93000 patients treated in 2030 generating a mean US$24.4 billion (US$17.0B-35.0B, US$73.0B extreme) list price product revenues not including ancillary medical costs or cost offsets. Thus, the likely dozens of durable cell and gene therapies developed through 2030 are unlikely to threaten US health system financial sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin M Young
- MIT NEWDIGS, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307, USA
| | - Casey Quinn
- MIT NEWDIGS, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307, USA
| | - Mark R Trusheim
- MIT NEWDIGS, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307, USA
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16
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Lauvrak V, Esmail R, Espeland AL, Farrah K, Hafstad E, Harboe I, Migliore A, Ohm IK, Topfer LA. A collaborative pilot on current awareness alerts for disinvestment and horizon scanning. Int J Technol Assess Health Care 2021; 37:e85. [PMID: 34462028 DOI: 10.1017/S0266462321000568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In 2019, members of the Health Technology Assessment international (HTAi) Interest Group for Disinvestment and Early Awareness (DEA-IG) and the HTAi Interest Group for Information Retrieval (IR-IG) agreed to produce quarterly current awareness alerts for members of the DEA-IG. The purpose was to pilot a predefined strategy for sharing new publications on methods and topical issues in this area. METHODS Literature search strategies for PubMed and Google were developed. Retrieved citations were posted on the DEA-IG Web site. Members of the DEA-IG received an email notification when new alerts were available. An informal survey of the DEA-IG members was used to provide feedback after the pilot. RESULTS Six alerts were issued during the pilot (June 2019-September 2020) with a total of 170 citations. The bulk of the information were 124 PubMed indexed citations, and of these, 96 were retrieved by the PubMed search strategies. Google searches were not found to be useful, but ongoing horizon scanning work at the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) provided additional information. Based on retrospective sorting, we considered thirty-five PubMed citations to be highly relevant for health technology assessment (HTA). The response rate to the survey was limited (seventeen respondents), but most respondents found the alerts useful for their work. CONCLUSIONS The results of this pilot project can be used to revise search strategies and information sources, improve the relevance of the alerts, and plan for expanded dissemination strategies.
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Saritas O, Bakhtin P, Kuzminov I, Khabirova E. Big data augmentated business trend identification: the case of mobile commerce. Scientometrics 2021;:1-27. [PMID: 33424052 DOI: 10.1007/s11192-020-03807-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Identifying and monitoring business and technological trends are crucial for innovation and competitiveness of businesses. Exponential growth of data across the world is invaluable for identifying emerging and evolving trends. On the other hand, the vast amount of data leads to information overload and can no longer be adequately processed without the use of automated methods of extraction, processing, and generation of knowledge. There is a growing need for information systems that would monitor and analyse data from heterogeneous and unstructured sources in order to enable timely and evidence-based decision-making. Recent advancements in computing and big data provide enormous opportunities for gathering evidence on future developments and emerging opportunities. The present study demonstrates the use of text-mining and semantic analysis of large amount of documents for investigating in business trends in mobile commerce (m-commerce). Particularly with the on-going COVID-19 pandemic and resultant social isolation, m-commerce has become a large technology and business domain with ever growing market potentials. Thus, our study begins with a review of global challenges, opportunities and trends in the development of m-commerce in the world. Next, the study identifies critical technologies and instruments for the full utilization of the potentials in the sector by using the intelligent big data analytics system based on in-depth natural language processing utilizing text-mining, machine learning, science bibliometry and technology analysis. The results generated by the system can be used to produce a comprehensive and objective web of interconnected technologies, trends, drivers and barriers to give an overview of the whole landscape of m-commerce in one business intelligence (BI) data mart diagram.
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18
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Wong WQ, Lin L, Ju H, Ng K. Towards greater impact in health technology assessment: horizon scanning for new and emerging technologies in Singapore. Int J Technol Assess Health Care 2020; 36:1-7. [PMID: 32624047 DOI: 10.1017/s0266462320000343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To alert policy makers early about emerging health technologies that could significantly impact the healthcare system at the clinical, financial and organizational levels, the Agency for Care Effectiveness (ACE) in Singapore established a horizon scanning system (HSS) in 2019. This paper describes the development of the ACE HSS and showcases its application with cell and gene therapy products as the first example. METHODS A literature review of existing HSS methods, including the processes of the EuroScan International Network and other overseas horizon scanning agencies, was done to inform the development of our horizon scanning framework. The framework was first applied to the new and emerging cell and gene therapies. RESULTS Identification sources, filtration and prioritization criteria, and horizon scanning outputs for the HSS were developed in alignment to international best practices, with recommendations for technology uptake represented by a traffic light system. For the first horizon scanning exercise on cell and gene therapies, forty therapies passed the filtration step, of which eight were prioritized for further assessment. The few early reports developed were used to inform and prepare the healthcare system for their potential introduction, particularly in terms of the need to develop health and funding policies. CONCLUSIONS Early assessment of prioritized topics has provided support for strategic efforts within the Ministry of Health. Given that ACE's horizon scanning program is still in its infancy, the framework will continue to evolve to ensure relevance to our stakeholders so that it remains fit for purpose for our healthcare system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan Qing Wong
- Agency for Care Effectiveness, Ministry of Health, Singapore, College of Medicine Building, 16 College Road, Singapore169854, Singapore
| | - Liang Lin
- Agency for Care Effectiveness, Ministry of Health, Singapore, College of Medicine Building, 16 College Road, Singapore169854, Singapore
| | - Hong Ju
- Agency for Care Effectiveness, Ministry of Health, Singapore, College of Medicine Building, 16 College Road, Singapore169854, Singapore
| | - Kwong Ng
- Agency for Care Effectiveness, Ministry of Health, Singapore, College of Medicine Building, 16 College Road, Singapore169854, Singapore
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19
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Mundy L, Trowman R, Kearney B. Sustainability of healthcare systems in Asia: exploring the roles of horizon scanning and reassessment in the health technology assessment landscape. Int J Technol Assess Health Care 2020; 36:262-9. [PMID: 32389130 DOI: 10.1017/S0266462320000252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The 2019 Health Technology Assessment International (HTAi) Asia Policy Forum (HAPF) discussed the role of horizon scanning (HS) and health technology reassessment (HTR) in supporting sustainable healthcare in Asia. METHODS Discussions and presentations at the 2019 HAPF, informed by a literature review, results of a premeeting survey, and case studies of HTA agencies from the region form the basis of this paper. RESULTS Five of the fourteen HTA agencies surveyed have established or are developing HS systems (HSSs), and six reported some experience with HTR. Although there were many differences in the respective HSSs, all were proactive and identified technologies within a 1-3-year time horizon. Commonalities included the criteria used to prioritize the technologies including burden and rarity of the disease, and cost to the health system and patients. Experience in HTR was not as extensive with most HTR activity being conducted on an ad hoc basis. Challenges for both HS and HTR include a lack of HTA capacity and good quality data, as well as a need for transparency and collaboration with industry. CONCLUSIONS With developing universal health care and HTA capacity in many countries in Asia, HS and HTR are in their infancy. Whilst several countries in the region are experienced in all facets of HTA, other countries are developing their HTA skill base. As such, there was a clear appetite for setting up a collaborative network in the Asia region to facilitate information sharing around HTA activities, and more specifically, HS and HTR methodologies, experiences, and assessments.
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20
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Handa N, Mochizuki S, Fujiwara Y, Shimokawa M, Wakao R, Arai H. Future development of artificial organs related with cutting edge emerging technology and their regulatory assessment: PMDA's perspective. J Artif Organs 2020; 23:203-206. [PMID: 32112156 DOI: 10.1007/s10047-020-01161-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Future development of innovative artificial organs is closely related with cutting edge emerging technology. These technologies include brain machine or computer interface, organs made by three dimensional bioprinting, organs designed from induced-pluripotent stem cell for personalized tissue or organ, and xenotransplantation. To bridge the gap between scientific innovation and regulatory product review, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency of Japan (PMDA) started the science board to discuss about the new scientific topics regarding medical products including medical device and regenerative products with external experts since 2012. Topics which PMDA raised for science board included cellular and tissue-based products from iPS cells, artificial intelligence and genome editing technology. In addition, PMDA started the horizon scanning to identify a new cutting edge technology which could potentially lead to innovative health technology or product, which has a strong impact on clinical medicine. Although the effectiveness and safety of the medical products must be reasonably assured before clinical use, PMDA introduced Sakigake review assignment (a review partner of device development) and conditional approval system to balance between pre-market and post-market evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuhiro Handa
- Office of Medical Device, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, Tokyo, Japan. .,Medical Device Unit, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, 3-3-2, Shin-Kasumigaseki Building 11F, Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-0013, Japan.
| | - Shuichi Mochizuki
- Office of Medical Device, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Fujiwara
- Office of Regenerative Medicine, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masafumi Shimokawa
- Regulatory Science Center, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Rika Wakao
- Regulatory Science Center, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Arai
- Regulatory Science Center, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, Tokyo, Japan
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21
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Rudd MA, Moore AFP, Rochberg D, Bianchi-Fossati L, Brown MA, D'Onofrio D, Furman CA, Garcia J, Jordan B, Kline J, Risse LM, Yager PL, Abbinett J, Alber M, Bell JE, Bhedwar C, Cobb KM, Cohen J, Cox M, Dormer M, Dunkley N, Farley H, Gambill J, Goldstein M, Harris G, Hopkinson M, James JA, Kidd S, Knox P, Liu Y, Matisoff DC, Meyer MD, Mitchem JD, Moore K, Ono AJ, Philipsborn J, Sendall KM, Shafiei F, Shepherd M, Teebken J, Worley AN. Climate research priorities for policy-makers, practitioners, and scientists in Georgia, USA. Environmental Management 2018; 62:190-209. [PMID: 29796704 PMCID: PMC6060861 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-018-1051-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Climate change has far-reaching effects on human and ecological systems, requiring collaboration across sectors and disciplines to determine effective responses. To inform regional responses to climate change, decision-makers need credible and relevant information representing a wide swath of knowledge and perspectives. The southeastern U. S. State of Georgia is a valuable focal area for study because it contains multiple ecological zones that vary greatly in land use and economic activities, and it is vulnerable to diverse climate change impacts. We identified 40 important research questions that, if answered, could lay the groundwork for effective, science-based climate action in Georgia. Top research priorities were identified through a broad solicitation of candidate research questions (180 were received). A group of experts across sectors and disciplines gathered for a workshop to categorize, prioritize, and filter the candidate questions, identify missing topics, and rewrite questions. Participants then collectively chose the 40 most important questions. This cross-sectoral effort ensured the inclusion of a diversity of topics and questions (e.g., coastal hazards, agricultural production, ecosystem functioning, urban infrastructure, and human health) likely to be important to Georgia policy-makers, practitioners, and scientists. Several cross-cutting themes emerged, including the need for long-term data collection and consideration of at-risk Georgia citizens and communities. Workshop participants defined effective responses as those that take economic cost, environmental impacts, and social justice into consideration. Our research highlights the importance of collaborators across disciplines and sectors, and discussing challenges and opportunities that will require transdisciplinary solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murray A Rudd
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
| | - Althea F P Moore
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Daniel Rochberg
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | | | - Marilyn A Brown
- School of Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology, Athens, GA, USA
| | - David D'Onofrio
- Atlanta Regional Commission, 229 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Carrie A Furman
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Jairo Garcia
- City of Atlanta Office of Resilience, 55 Trinity Av. SW, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Ben Jordan
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Jennifer Kline
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division, Brunswick, GA, USA
| | - L Mark Risse
- University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Patricia L Yager
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Jessica Abbinett
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Merryl Alber
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Jesse E Bell
- North Carolina Institute for Climate Studies, North Carolina State University, Asheville, NC, 28801, USA
| | - Cyrus Bhedwar
- Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kim M Cobb
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 311 Ferst Dr., Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Juliet Cohen
- Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Atlanta, GA, 30306, USA
| | - Matt Cox
- The Greenlink Group, 695 Pylant St NE, Atlanta, GA, 30306, USA
| | - Myriam Dormer
- The Nature Conservancy in Georgia, 100 Peachtree St. NW, Suite 2250, Atlanta, Georgia, 30303, USA
| | - Nyasha Dunkley
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division, 4244 International Parkway, Atlanta, GA, 30354, USA
| | - Heather Farley
- The College of Coastal Georgia, School of Business and Public Management, One College Drive, Brunswick, GA, 31520, USA
| | - Jill Gambill
- University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Mindy Goldstein
- Emory University School of Law, 1301 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Garry Harris
- Center for Sustainable Communities, 100 Flatshoals Ave SE, Atlanta, GA, 30316, USA
| | - Melissa Hopkinson
- Institute for Environmental & Spatial Analysis, University of North Georgia, Oakwood, GA, 30566, USA
| | | | - Susan Kidd
- Center for Sustainability, Agnes Scott College, 141 E. College Ave., Decatur, GA, 30030, USA
| | - Pam Knox
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Daniel C Matisoff
- School of Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Michael D Meyer
- WSP USA Inc., 845 Spring Street, Unit 204, Atlanta, GA, 30308, USA
| | - Jamie D Mitchem
- Institute for Environmental & Spatial Analysis, University of North Georgia, Oakwood, GA, 30566, USA
| | - Katherine Moore
- Sustainable Growth Program, Georgia Conservancy 230 Peachtree Street Suite 1250, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Aspen J Ono
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | | | - Kerrie M Sendall
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, 30460, USA
| | - Fatemeh Shafiei
- Spelman College Department of Political Science, 350 Spelman Lane SW, Atlanta, GA, 30314, USA
| | | | - Julia Teebken
- Department of Political and Social Sciences, Graduate School of East Asian Studies, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Vulnerability and Human Condition Initiative, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Ashby N Worley
- The Nature Conservancy in Georgia, 100 Peachtree St. NW, Suite 2250, Atlanta, Georgia, 30303, USA
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Oortwijn W, Sampietro-Colom L, Habens F, Trowman R. HOW CAN HEALTH SYSTEMS PREPARE FOR NEW AND EMERGING HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES? THE ROLE OF HORIZON SCANNING REVISITED. Int J Technol Assess Health Care 2018; 34:254-9. [PMID: 29888687 DOI: 10.1017/S0266462318000363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES For many years, several health technology assessment (HTA) agencies scanned the horizon to identify health technologies that were safe, effective and offer value for money. However, there is limited evidence regarding its impact. The role of horizon scanning in preparing health systems for the uptake of new and emerging health technologies was discussed during the 2018 HTA International (HTAi) Global Policy Forum Meeting. METHODS Reflection of the discussion between seventy-two senior representatives from for-profit, not-for-profit organizations, and HTAi leadership. It was informed by a background paper, and presentations from four invited experts and seventeen Policy Forum members. RESULTS Current horizon scanning systems (HSS) mainly identify health technologies in the late stage of development, aiming to inform topic selection for HTA. Areas for improvement included the need for a clearer definition of the end user(s), purpose, scope, and focus of HSS, the long-term full health system effects, including all relevant stakeholders as early as possible, and considering smart data systems and international collaboration to improve HSS's efficiency. The way in which HSS could be further optimized and better shaped to prepare health systems was also discussed and good practice examples were presented. CONCLUSIONS HSS have not yet reached their full potential in preparing health systems. To improve the current situation, the HTA community could act as convenors, bringing together all relevant stakeholders and providing the information that decision makers need. This would require a new, more integrative approach to define and use HSS and HTA, and requires new skills.
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23
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Kipling RP, Virkajärvi P, Breitsameter L, Curnel Y, De Swaef T, Gustavsson AM, Hennart S, Höglind M, Järvenranta K, Minet J, Nendel C, Persson T, Picon-Cochard C, Rolinski S, Sandars DL, Scollan ND, Sebek L, Seddaiu G, Topp CFE, Twardy S, Van Middelkoop J, Wu L, Bellocchi G. Key challenges and priorities for modelling European grasslands under climate change. Sci Total Environ 2016; 566-567:851-864. [PMID: 27259038 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.05.144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2016] [Revised: 04/28/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Grassland-based ruminant production systems are integral to sustainable food production in Europe, converting plant materials indigestible to humans into nutritious food, while providing a range of environmental and cultural benefits. Climate change poses significant challenges for such systems, their productivity and the wider benefits they supply. In this context, grassland models have an important role in predicting and understanding the impacts of climate change on grassland systems, and assessing the efficacy of potential adaptation and mitigation strategies. In order to identify the key challenges for European grassland modelling under climate change, modellers and researchers from across Europe were consulted via workshop and questionnaire. Participants identified fifteen challenges and considered the current state of modelling and priorities for future research in relation to each. A review of literature was undertaken to corroborate and enrich the information provided during the horizon scanning activities. Challenges were in four categories relating to: 1) the direct and indirect effects of climate change on the sward 2) climate change effects on grassland systems outputs 3) mediation of climate change impacts by site, system and management and 4) cross-cutting methodological issues. While research priorities differed between challenges, an underlying theme was the need for accessible, shared inventories of models, approaches and data, as a resource for stakeholders and to stimulate new research. Developing grassland models to effectively support efforts to tackle climate change impacts, while increasing productivity and enhancing ecosystem services, will require engagement with stakeholders and policy-makers, as well as modellers and experimental researchers across many disciplines. The challenges and priorities identified are intended to be a resource 1) for grassland modellers and experimental researchers, to stimulate the development of new research directions and collaborative opportunities, and 2) for policy-makers involved in shaping the research agenda for European grassland modelling under climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard P Kipling
- IBERS, Aberystwyth University, 1st Floor, Stapledon Building, Plas Gogerddan, Aberystwyth Ceredigion, SY23 3EE, UK.
| | - Perttu Virkajärvi
- Green Technology, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Halolantie 31 A, 71750 Maaninka, Finland.
| | - Laura Breitsameter
- Leibniz Universität Hannover, Institut für Gartenbauliche Produktionssysteme, Systemmodellierung Gemüsebau, Herrenhäuser Straße 2, 30419 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Yannick Curnel
- Farming Systems, Territories and Information Technologies Unit, Walloon Agricultural Research Centre (CRA-W), 9 rue de Liroux, B-5030 Gembloux, Belgium.
| | - Tom De Swaef
- ILVO, Plant Sciences Unit, Caritasstraat 39, 9090 Melle, Belgium.
| | - Anne-Maj Gustavsson
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Department of Agricultural Research for Northern, Umeå, SE 901 83, Sweden.
| | - Sylvain Hennart
- Farming Systems, Territories and Information Technologies Unit, Walloon Agricultural Research Centre (CRA-W), 9 rue de Liroux, B-5030 Gembloux, Belgium
| | - Mats Höglind
- Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), Po. Box 115, NO -1431 Ås, Norway
| | - Kirsi Järvenranta
- Green Technology, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Halolantie 31 A, 71750 Maaninka, Finland
| | - Julien Minet
- Arlon Campus Environnement, University of Liège, Avenue de Longwy 185, 6700 Arlon, Belgium.
| | - Claas Nendel
- Institute of Landscape Systems Analysis, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Straße 84, 15374, Müncheberg, Germany.
| | - Tomas Persson
- Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), Po. Box 115, NO -1431 Ås, Norway.
| | | | - Susanne Rolinski
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Telegraphenberg A31, 14473 Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Daniel L Sandars
- Cranfield University, School of Energy, Environment, and Agri-food, College Road, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Nigel D Scollan
- IBERS, Aberystwyth University, 1st Floor, Stapledon Building, Plas Gogerddan, Aberystwyth Ceredigion, SY23 3EE, UK
| | - Leon Sebek
- Wageningen UR Livestock Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Giovanna Seddaiu
- NRD, Desertification Research Centre; Dept. of Agriculture, University of Sassari, Viale Italia 39, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
| | | | - Stanislaw Twardy
- Institute of Technology and Life Sciences at Falenty, Malopolska Research Centre in Krakow, 31-450 Krakow, ul. Ulanow 21B, Poland.
| | | | - Lianhai Wu
- Rothamsted Research, North Wyke, Okehampton EX20 2SB, UK.
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Brown MJF, Dicks LV, Paxton RJ, Baldock KCR, Barron AB, Chauzat MP, Freitas BM, Goulson D, Jepsen S, Kremen C, Li J, Neumann P, Pattemore DE, Potts SG, Schweiger O, Seymour CL, Stout JC. A horizon scan of future threats and opportunities for pollinators and pollination. PeerJ 2016; 4:e2249. [PMID: 27602260 PMCID: PMC4991895 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background. Pollinators, which provide the agriculturally and ecologically essential service of pollination, are under threat at a global scale. Habitat loss and homogenisation, pesticides, parasites and pathogens, invasive species, and climate change have been identified as past and current threats to pollinators. Actions to mitigate these threats, e.g., agri-environment schemes and pesticide-use moratoriums, exist, but have largely been applied post-hoc. However, future sustainability of pollinators and the service they provide requires anticipation of potential threats and opportunities before they occur, enabling timely implementation of policy and practice to prevent, rather than mitigate, further pollinator declines. Methods.Using a horizon scanning approach we identified issues that are likely to impact pollinators, either positively or negatively, over the coming three decades. Results.Our analysis highlights six high priority, and nine secondary issues. High priorities are: (1) corporate control of global agriculture, (2) novel systemic pesticides, (3) novel RNA viruses, (4) the development of new managed pollinators, (5) more frequent heatwaves and drought under climate change, and (6) the potential positive impact of reduced chemical use on pollinators in non-agricultural settings. Discussion. While current pollinator management approaches are largely driven by mitigating past impacts, we present opportunities for pre-emptive practice, legislation, and policy to sustainably manage pollinators for future generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J F Brown
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London , Egham , United Kingdom
| | - Lynn V Dicks
- Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge , Cambridge , United Kingdom
| | - Robert J Paxton
- Institute for Biology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany; iDiv, German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Katherine C R Baldock
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; Cabot Institute, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew B Barron
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University , Sydney , Australia
| | - Marie-Pierre Chauzat
- European reference laboratory for honeybee health, Unit of honeybee pathology & Unit of coordination and support to surveillance, ANSES , Maisons-Alfort Cedex , France
| | - Breno M Freitas
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal do Ceará , Fortaleza Ceará , Brazil
| | - Dave Goulson
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex , Falmer , United Kingdom
| | - Sarina Jepsen
- The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation , Portland , OR , United States of America
| | - Claire Kremen
- Berkeley Food Institute, Environmental Sciences Policy and Management, University of California Berkeley , Berkeley , CA , United States of America
| | - Jilian Li
- Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Beijing , China
| | - Peter Neumann
- Institute of Bee Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland
| | - David E Pattemore
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited , Hamilton , New Zealand
| | - Simon G Potts
- Centre for Agri-Environmental Research, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading , Reading , United Kingdom
| | - Oliver Schweiger
- Department of Community Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ , Halle , Germany
| | - Colleen L Seymour
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Claremont, South Africa; Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Jane C Stout
- Botany, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
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Garnett K, Lickorish FA, Rocks SA, Prpich G, Rathe AA, Pollard SJT. Integrating horizon scanning and strategic risk prioritisation using a weight of evidence framework to inform policy decisions. Sci Total Environ 2016; 560-561:82-91. [PMID: 27093126 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.04.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Revised: 04/06/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Poor connection between data on emerging issues and credible policy decisions continues to challenge governments, and is only likely to grow as demands on time and resources increase. Here we summarise recent efforts to integrate horizon scanning and risk prioritisation approaches to better connect emerging issues to the political discourse on environmental and food-related issues. Our categorisation of insights including potential future risks and opportunities to inform policy discussions has emerged from a structured three-year programme of horizon scanning for a UK pan-governmental futures partnership led by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Our efforts to integrate horizon scanning and risk prioritisation, utilising a qualitative weight of evidence framework, has created a systematic process for identifying all signals of potential future change with significant impact for the strategic mission and underlying values of policy actors. Our approach encourages an exploration of factors out of the control of organisations, recognising that resilience depends on the flexibility of management strategies and the preparedness to deal with a variety of unexpected outcomes. We discuss how this approach addresses key cultural and evaluative challenges that policy actors have had in embedding horizon scanning in evidence-based policy processes, and suggest further developments to build confidence in the use of horizon scanning for strategic planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Garnett
- Cranfield University, School of Energy, Environment and Agrifood, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK.
| | - F A Lickorish
- Cranfield University, School of Energy, Environment and Agrifood, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK
| | - S A Rocks
- Cranfield University, School of Energy, Environment and Agrifood, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK
| | - G Prpich
- Cranfield University, School of Energy, Environment and Agrifood, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK
| | - A A Rathe
- Cranfield University, School of Energy, Environment and Agrifood, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK
| | - S J T Pollard
- Cranfield University, School of Energy, Environment and Agrifood, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK
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Tark JY, Jeong JY, Lee M, Park E, Park J, Park JJ, Lee S, Shin C. EARLY ASSESSMENT AND PREDICTION OF POTENTIAL IMPACT OF THE IMPLANTATION OF POLYURETHANE SCAFFOLD IN PARTIAL MENISCAL LESIONS: A PILOT HORIZON SCANNING ACTIVITY IN SOUTH KOREA. Int J Technol Assess Health Care 2015; 31:380-9. [PMID: 26679380 DOI: 10.1017/S0266462315000689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to predict the potential impact of the introduction of implantation of polyurethane scaffold for the treatment of partial meniscal lesions in the South Korean healthcare system. METHODS The horizon scanning process was used to select a target technology and assess its potential impacts on patients and the Korean healthcare system. We identified and filtered research-phase health technologies that are not listed yet in Korean, but appear promising. After a process of prioritization, we chose the implantation of polyurethane scaffolds as a target technology. Then, through the procedures of assessment and peer review, we analyzed current evidence and its predicted potential impacts. RESULTS There were eight studies included in the review: one prospective cohort and seven case-series studies. Six revealed significant improvements in function and pain relief. Of the six studies, which reported safety endpoints, four stated no major postoperative complications related to scaffold, and two reported adverse events and serious adverse events such as pain, joint swelling, et cetera. We also included the potential impact of this technology based on the experts' consultation. They all agreed that it would satisfy the diverse needs of patients and fulfill clinical needs. However, the majority of related clinical studies were based on short-term follow-up observations without any validation process involving comparison with control groups. CONCLUSIONS Through a horizon scanning activity, we found that the implantation of polyurethane scaffolds is a promising technology to resolve articular cartilage defects; however, long-term evidence with comparison groups for safety and effectiveness is required.
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Abstract
Objectives: The EuroScan International Network is a global network of publicly funded early awareness and alert (EAA) systems for health technologies. We describe the EuroScan member agency systems and methods, and highlight the potential for increased collaboration. Methods: EuroScan members completed postal questionnaires supplemented with telephone interviews in 2012 to elicit additional information and check equivalence of responses. Information was updated between March and May 2013. Results: Fifteen of the seventeen member agencies responded. The principal purpose of agencies is to inform decisions on coverage or reimbursement of health services and decisions on undertaking secondary research. The main users of information are national governments; health professionals; health services purchasers, commissioners, and decision makers; and healthcare providers. Most EuroScan agencies are small with almost half having fewer than two whole time equivalent staff. Ten agencies use both active and passive identification approaches, four use only active approaches. Most start identification in the experimental or investigational stages of the technology life cycle. All agencies assessed technologies when they are between the investigational and established, but under diffusion stages. Barriers to collaboration revolve around different system aims, purposes, and requirements; a lack of staff, finance, or opportunity; language differences; and restrictions on dissemination. Conclusions: Although many barriers to collaboration were identified, the majority of agencies were supportive of increased collaboration either involving the whole EuroScan Network or between individual agencies. Despite differences in the detailed identification processes, members thought that this was the most feasible phase to develop additional collaboration.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND This paper reports the development of standard techniques for technology evaluation in hospital carried out at the Florence Teaching Hospital Careggi (AOUC), where, as a complex system, the technological evaluation is a strategic and essential element for the maintenance of high-quality clinical activity and maximization of available resources. OBJECTIVE The aim of this paper has been the development of a system of economically sustainable models for the implementation of HTA and HS analyses in the hospital environment as well as presenting, in addition to a valid scientific resilience, the methodological and temporary flexibility to satisfy needs of hospital decision-makers. METHODS The evaluation models call for 3 main phases: an initial analysis of the in-hospital request, a collection of data, and finally a draft of a specific, easily usable set of reports. RESULTS Three standardized and tested models of evaluation were developed, which, in relation to the objective of the request and schedule of the assignment, provide for the production of a speedy report (1-week), an intermediate report (1-month), or a extensive report typical of classical studies of hospital based HTA (1-year). It is then related to the evaluation model of the IORT (Intra-Operative Radiation Therapy) technology. DISCUSSIONS AND CONCLUSION The developed models have permitted the construction, using personnel and laboratories within the hospital, of an evaluation system reliable and responsive to the HOSPITAL's temporary needs based on the HS and HTA analyses in the hospital environment. Regarding the applicable case of IORT, this has shown how in-hospital requests have been satisfied in the preset time: although it establishes expected improvements on the social effect and weight of the illness and reveals a high territorial strategic relevance, the introduction of IORT in the hospital presents some criticalities on the impact on the healthcare organization and the necessity of specific training of medical technologist personnel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Miniati
- Department of Information Engineering, Biomedical Laboratory, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesco Frosini
- Department of Information Engineering, Biomedical Laboratory, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giulio Cecconi
- Department of Information Engineering, Biomedical Laboratory, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Dori
- Department of Information Engineering, Biomedical Laboratory, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - G Biffi Gentili
- Department of Information Engineering, Biomedical Laboratory, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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