Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics

Value of Life Sciences Innovation

Research Program

Value of Life Sciences Innovation

Biomedical advances are at the front lines of transforming healthcare through innovations that benefit countless people. The Value of Life Sciences Innovation (VLSI) program exemplifies the Schaeffer Center’s focus on evidence-based analyses that encourage breakthroughs while developing pricing and reimbursement strategies to help ensure that patients receive the therapies they need.

Program Leadership

Alice Chen, PhD

Senior Scholar, USC Schaeffer Institute
Director, Value of Life Sciences Innovation
Associate Professor, USC Price School of Public Policy
2018-2019 RCMAR Scientist, USC Schaeffer Center

Desi Peneva, MS

Associate Director, Value of Life Sciences Innovation
Research Program Lead, USC Schaeffer Center

Dana Goldman, PhD

Founding Director, USC Schaeffer Institute for Public Policy & Government Service
University Professor of Public Policy, Pharmacy, and Economics
Special Advisor, USC Provost

Spotlight on PBMs View All

Testimony on Competition Issues in the Prescription Drug Supply Chain

Implementing reforms that increase transparency, align incentives and restore competition can ensure that PBMs fulfill their intended role: helping to make prescription drugs more affordable and accessible for all Americans.

Healthcare Markets

Experts: Neeraj Sood

Pharmacies Excluded from Preferred Networks Face Much Higher Risk of Closure

Medicare Beneficiaries Face Much Higher Drug Costs as Plans Quickly Shift to Coinsurance

How the Secrecy of Middlemen Inflates Drug Prices

Featured Perspective

Ensuring Most-Favored Nation Drug Pricing Doesn’t Sicken Us

Lowering drug prices to European benchmarks would ultimately reduce innovation and make Americans less healthy. Instead, a drug pricing system based on U.S. values would enhance access and support medical progress.

Experts: Darius Lakdawalla, Dana Goldman

Read: Ensuring Most-Favored Nation Drug Pricing Doesn’t Sicken Us

Latest Research View All

News

Starting Alzheimer’s Treatment Earlier Increases Benefits to Patients and Society

Early detection could help patients start Alzheimer's treatments when they deliver the greatest value.

Featured Experts: Jack M. Chapel, Bryan Tysinger, Hossein Pourmand, Dana Goldman, Paul Aisen

Comment Letter

Comments to FDA on Demonstrating Substantial Evidence of Effectiveness

Perspective

Alzheimer’s Science Is Advancing: California Can Keep It Moving With the ASAP Act

Issue Brief

The Relationship Between GLP-1 Use and Trust in Pharmaceutical Companies

In The News View All

Endpoints

Schaeffer experts recommend FDA update guidance on early-stage clinical research

Featured Experts: Lowell Schiller, Barry Liden

CalMatters

Ward discusses tension between GLP-1 long-term savings and near-term insurer costs

Featured Experts: Alison Sexton Ward

Axios

A recent historic drop in drug prices is largely driven by market forces, Joyce explains

Featured Experts: Geoffrey Joyce

Healthcare Brew

Despite recent reforms, Joyce says PBMs may simply adapt business practices to generate revenue

Featured Experts: Geoffrey Joyce

Endpoints

Schiller says the FDA is showing signs of renewed predictability after the commissioner’s departure

Featured Experts: Lowell Schiller

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