Peer Review and Transparency in Evidence-Source Selection in Value and Health Technology Assessment.

Objectives: Value and health technology assessment (V/HTA) is often used in clinical, access, and reimbursement decisions. V/HTA data-source selection may not be transparent, which is a necessary element for stakeholder understanding and trust and for fostering accountability among decision makers. Peer review is considered one mechanism for judging data trustworthiness.

Clinical value of tapentadol extended-release in painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy is difficult to treat, partially because the underlying mechanism of pain is not fully understood. Various treatment guidelines recommend first-line agents, such as α2-δ ligands, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and tricyclic antidepressants but combination therapy of alternative agents including opiates is often warranted. Tapentadol extended-release has a novel dual mechanism of action; it is both a mu-opioid receptor agonist and a norephinephrine reuptake inhibitor.