For Immediate Release

Contact: John M. Martino
Phone Number:  (215) 895-1186
Date: 03/06/03

University of the Sciences in Philadelphia Professor Develops New Drug Comparison Rating System 

As new drugs become available to the public, many health professionals, such as pharmacists, physicians and nurses, need to understand the benefits or drawbacks of these new medications in relation to similar drugs. Dr. Daniel A. Hussar, Remington professor of pharmacy of Philadelphia College of Pharmacy at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, has addressed this significant issue by developing a New Drug Comparison Rating (NDCR) system.

The rating system along with justifications for the ratings was available in the February issue of Facts and Comparisons’ publication The Drug Advisor, which Dr. Hussar authors. Health professionals who subscribe to the publication will learn the ratings of other newly marketed drugs in future issues.

“Busy physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and other health professionals often depend on information provided by the pharmaceutical company marketing the new drug which, although helpful, is also likely to be promotional,” says Dr. Hussar. “There has not been a system through which new drugs have been objectively compared in a systematic and consistent manner with older agents to which they are most similar. In the New Drug Comparison Rating system, significant advantages and disadvantages are objectively identified, and an overall opinion or summary is provided using a numerical rating that reflects the relative importance of the new drug.”

The numerical ratings, including corresponding opinions, are as follows:

5 = important advance (eg, first drug for the indication for which approved)
4 = significant advantage(s) (eg, with respect to use/effectiveness, safety, administration)
3 = no or minor advantage/disadvantage, advantage(s) and disadvantage(s) of similar importance
2 = significant disadvantage(s) (eg, with respect to use/effectiveness, safety, administration)
1 = important disadvantage

The NDCR system recently was used for the new drugs marketed in 2002. Using the NDCR system, five of the 26 new therapeutic agents marketed in 2002 received a rating of 5; none received a 1.

So what will this rating system mean to health professionals?

“The NDCR helps these professionals to become quickly aware of the most important information about new drugs and provides an objective assessment of their importance relative to medications that have already been available,” he adds. “This will be of value in identifying which new drugs may be of the greatest benefit in their particular practice responsibilities, and in identifying which new agents they will want to obtain more comprehensive information about.”

University of the Sciences in Philadelphia is a private, coeducational institution founded in 1821 as Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, the first college of pharmacy in North America. USP specializes in educating students for rewarding careers through its professional and pre-professional degrees in health sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, and arts and sciences.

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