About CERTs
Annual Report Year 5
AHRQ Letter | Steering Committee Letter | Introduction | CERTs Progress | Certs Program Resources | Certs Parnerships and Collaborations | Conclusion | The CERTs Organization | Principles of CERTs Public-Private Partnerships | Peer-Reviewed Publications
Letter from the Steering Committee
Dear Fellow Citizens:
The CERTs are delighted and honored to share the results from our fifth year of work. Our mission is to improve health. We do this by working for the best use of therapeutics and by serving as a trusted national resource. Conducting research and education projects is only the first step toward our goal of improving public health. The essence of our work is to ensure that important information about the best uses of therapeutics gets in the hands of the public, health care providers, and policymakers so that balanced decisions can be made about the risks and benefits of medical therapies.
The studies presented in this report illustrate the breadth and depth of our research. A number of CERTs studies contributed to high-profile health care news this year, including one study that examined the cardiac risks of erythromycin, another that measured frequency of inappropriate medication being prescribed to the elderly, and another about the overabundance of drugs classified as "risky" being used by pregnant women.
Our research reflects the ever-growing role technology plays in health care. Although technology can increase the efficiency and effectiveness of treatment, its use often involves a balance of benefit, risk, and cost. Therefore, CERTs researchers not only examine the use of such technologies; we also look ahead and anticipate the economic implications. For example, we are studying emerging technologies that offer significant benefits for patients but initially can carry a high cost. This kind of research can help policymakers resolve tough questions about improving access to effective treatments and technologies for all Americans.
In addition to our research efforts, a number of CERTs investigators have been tapped to consult on various projects with other leading national groups, such as the Institute of Medicine. For example, CERTs researchers participated in a study about the safety of medical devices used to treat children. These kinds of partnerships continue to forge our presence as a trusted national health care resource.
The collaborative structure of the CERTs enables us to respond quickly and judiciously to important emerging research needs. All of our partners-from academia, government, managed care, industry, health systems, consumer groups, and others-play an integral role with the CERTs, and we thank them for their considerable contributions, leadership, and support.
The CERTs and our partners are committed to meeting the many challenges that lie ahead. We look forward to working with many more of you to ensure that all Americans benefit from advancements in therapeutics.
— Hugh Tilson, MD, DrPH
Chair, on behalf of the CERTs Steering Committee:
- Lynn A. Bosco, MD, MPH; Robert M. Califf, MD;
- Georges Benjamin, MD, FACP; Marc L. Berger, MD;
- Barbara A. Blakeney, MS, APRN, BC, ACP; Susan N. Gardner, PhD;
- Linda F. Golodner; Harry A. Guess, MD, PhD;
- James G. Kotsanos, MD, MS; Judith M. Kramer, MD, MS;
- Richard Platt, MD, MS; Wayne A. Ray, PhD;
- Kenneth G. Saag, MD, MSc; Marcel E. Salive, MD, MPH;
- Paul J. Seligman, MD, MPH; Brian L. Strom, MD, MPH;
- Myrl Weinberg, CAE; Raymond L. Woosley, MD, PhD