[Indirect comparisons in drug assessment reports on the GENESIS group (SEFH) webpage]

Quantify use of indirect comparisons (IC) in drug evaluation reports published on the GENESIS Group web page for new drug assessment, standardisation, and drug selection research.

Retrospective study of drug reports written between 2008 and 2009.

presence of an active comparator and details from any direct and indirect comparative studies included.

An active comparator was present in 95% of the 337 analysed reports; 50% included a direct comparative study vs comparator. In 114 reports (34%), an IC was used; 69% of the ICs were made by the report author. Most ICs were narrative and none were adjusted. An IC could have been made in an additional 16% of the cases and possibly in 24% more.

Most evaluated drugs have an active comparator but studies comparing them directly are not as common. ICs could be included in more reports along with quality control criteria.