DERP Structure

Participating Organizations

Participating Organizations contribute an equal amount to the financing of the Project, and guide its operation through a self-governing process in which each organization is equally represented. The drug classes to be studied, key questions, timelines, and final approval of draft reports are all determined by the Participating Organizations.

The Center for Evidence-based Policy

The Center for Evidence-based Policy (The Center) oversees the direction and administration of the Project. This includes contract management, communications management, DERP Participant assistance (i.e. aide in understanding the systematic reviews), timeline oversight, public relations, meeting guidance, and other assistance provided to the DERP Participants, EPC, and public. The Center does not participate in the evaluation of the evidence nor does the Center have a vote in any governance issue or process. In addition, the Center has other projects that are distinct from this project and do not involve the EPCs or the DERP Participants.

 

The Evidence-Based Practice Centers

The Oregon and RTI-UNC Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPC) conduct systematic reviews for the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ) and have specific experience conducting reviews of drug classes. EPC staff has training and experience in evaluating research of all types. The DERP is one of several major research activities and sources of funding that the  Oregon and RTI-UNC EPCs are currently involved in. The Oregon EPC, while conducting reviews, also assigns, coordinates and oversees reviews conducted by other EPCs and ensures the production of high quality reports. The EPCs provide support to the Participating Organizations in developing key questions for the reviews, interpreting the reports, and by being available to answer specific questions. The EPCs involved in DERP are independent of the Participating Organizations and the Center for Evidence-based Policy. The final content of the systematic evidence-based reviews is determined by the EPC writing the report.