Overview of methods for comparing the efficacies of drugs in the absence of head-to-head clinical trial data

Abstract

In most therapeutic areas, multiple drug options are increasingly becoming available, but there is often a lack of evidence from head-to-head clinical trials that allows for direct comparison of the efficacy and/or safety of one drug vs. another. This review provides an introduction to, and overview of, common methods used for comparing drugs in the absence of head-to-head clinical trial evidence. Naïve direct comparisons are in most instances inappropriate and should only be used for exploratory purposes and when no other options are possible. Adjusted indirect comparisons are currently the most commonly accepted method and use links through one or more common comparators. Mixed treatment c..