Health economics and outcomes research (HEOR)
Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) is a widely adopted label for teams within life-science companies that generate evidence of value for health technologies and interventions. While ‘health economics’ mostly refers to skills in economic evaluation, ‘outcomes research’ refers to expertise in observational studies or in developing new health outcome measurements, particularly patient-reported outcomes. HEOR professionals provide guidance on the design of clinical trials to best meet the evidence requirements of healthcare payers. They also advise on, commission (often engaging external researchers) and conduct other studies and analyses that may be required, such as meta-analyses, economic modelling and real-world observational studies. Furthermore, HEOR teams are responsible for disseminating these results both internally and externally. In country-specific roles, HEOR teams may lead the creation and submission of evidence packages to national reimbursement agencies or local healthcare payers. This function works in close collaboration with Market Access specialists to ensure successful market entry and patient access.