The Ontario Drug Policy Research Network: bridging the gap between Research and Drug Policy

Sobia Khan; Julia E Moore; Tara Gomes; Ximena Camacho; Judy Tran; Glenn McAuley; David N Juurlink; Michael Paterson; Andreas Laupacis; Muhammad M Mamdani

doi:10.1016/j.healthpol.2014.06.007

The Ontario Drug Policy Research Network: bridging the gap between Research and Drug Policy

Health Policy. 2014 Sep;117(3):392-8. doi: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2014.06.007. Epub 2014 Jul 8.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Li KaShing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada. Electronic address: khans@smh.ca.
² Li KaShing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
³ Li KaShing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada; Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
⁴ Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada.
⁵ Ontario Public Drug Programs, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Toronto, ON, Canada.
⁶ Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada; Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
⁷ Li KaShing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
⁸ Li KaShing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.

PMID: 25082467
DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2014.06.007

Abstract

Policymakers have cited several barriers to using evidence in policy decisions, including lack of research relevance and timeliness. In recent years, several reports have focused on the successes and challenges of researcher-policymaker collaborations, a form of policy engagement intended to help overcome barriers to the use of research evidence in policymaking. Although these reports often demonstrate an increase in research relevance, rarely do they provide concrete methods of enhancing research timeliness, which is surprising given policymakers' expressed need to receive "rapid-response" research. Additionally, the impact of researcher-policymaker collaborations is not well-discussed. In this paper, we aim to describe the collaboration between the Ontario Drug Policy Research Network (ODPRN) and its policymaker partner, the Ontario Public Drug Program (OPDP), with a particular focus on the ODPRN's research methodology and unique rapid-response approach for policy engagement. This approach is illustrated through a specific case example regarding drug funding policies for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Moreover, we discuss the impact of the ODPRN's research on pharmaceutical policy and lessons learned throughout the ODPRN and OPDP's five-year partnership. The described experiences will be valuable to those seeking to enhance evidence uptake in policymaking for immediate policy needs.

Keywords: Evidence-informed policy; Pharmaceutical policy; Researcher–policymaker collaboration.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Cooperative Behavior
Evidence-Based Practice
Health Policy*
Humans
Ontario
Policy Making*
Prescription Drugs / standards*
Research Personnel
Translational Research, Biomedical / methods*

Substances

Prescription Drugs