NEA Amplifies Patient Voice During the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review Meeting

The National Eczema Association (NEA) amplified the patient voice in the evaluation of new treatments for atopic dermatitis (AD) in a public meeting held by the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER). This is a final step in their 2021 evaluation of the clinical effectiveness and value of Janus kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of AD.

NEA is the only patient advocacy organization in the United States dedicated to the 31 million people affected by AD and other forms of eczema. Thus, it was invited to provide lived experience data and insights to describe the quality-of-life impacts of AD.

NEA’s participation in the event highlighted AD as a chronic, heterogeneous disease with significant burden. Patients with AD suffer from itch, pain and sleep loss; social, academic, economic and lifestyle impacts from the disease. The burden of disease is often accompanied by limited long-term treatment options. NEA emphasized that each new treatment option can alleviate the social and emotional effects of AD on patients.

"NEA's goal for this process, as with everything we do, is to ensure patients are involved and their important voice is heard," said Julie Block, president and chief executive officer of NEA. "With a disease as variable as eczema, there is not a singular patient perspective. Through our patient-reported data and first-person patient accounts, we've aimed to show the diverse and burdensome lived experience of AD and the need for more targeted treatments available to patients."

Reference
National Eczema Association. NEA brings patient voice to evaluation of new treatments for atopic dermatitis. Press release. Published August 10, 2021. Accessed August 17, 2021. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nea-brings-patient-voice-to-evaluation-of-new-treatments-for-atopic-dermatitis-ad-301351798.html