New or repurposed: a novel classification system for the horizon scanning of innovative medicines
2024

A New System for Classifying Innovative Medicines

Sample size: 20403 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Fairbairn Ross, Akinbolade Sola, Coughlan Diarmuid, Ogunbayo Dapo, Meader Nick, Craig Dawn

Primary Institution: National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Innovation Observatory, Population Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK

Hypothesis

This study aims to create a novel classification system to allow new and repurposed medicines horizon scanning intelligence to be disseminated to healthcare organizations.

Conclusion

The classification system provides concise yet informative intelligence to healthcare organizations regarding innovative medicines.

Supporting Evidence

  • The classification system was validated through application to over 20,000 technology records.
  • The system distinguishes between patented and generic medicines within the repurposing category.
  • The iterative piloting process used real-life examples from a leading medicines horizon scanning database.

Takeaway

The researchers made a new way to sort medicines into categories so that healthcare workers can easily find information about them.

Methodology

A multidisciplinary working group conducted literature searches and a three-stage piloting process to develop and validate the classification system.

Potential Biases

The study did not involve stakeholders during the creation process, which may overlook unique insights.

Limitations

The classification may not be updated in real-time, leading to potential misclassification as medicines' statuses change over time.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1017/S0266462324004628

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