Real-World Evidence (RWE) is a critical source of information for pharmaceutical research because it provides a more complete and realistic view of how a product performs in the real world, compared to controlled clinical trials.

Based on data collected in the real world (RWD), this particularly important type of evidence provides meaningfull insight into how a product performs in the diverse, complex, and often unstructured environment of everyday medical practice.

One of the main benefits of RWE studies is to help confirm or extend the results of clinical trials: Clinical trials are carefully controlled studies that are designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a product. However, the results of clinical trials may not always be representative of how a product will perform in the real world. By collecting Real World Data (RWD), researchers can confirm or extend the findings of clinical trials, and gain a better understanding of how a product performs in a wider range of patients and settings.

RWE also help to identify rare or unexpected side effects: Clinical trials are usually designed to detect common or expected side effects of a product. However, rare or unexpected side effects may only become apparent once a product is being used by a larger, more diverse population. Thanks to RWD, researchers get the opportunity to identify these rare or unexpected side effects, and take steps to mitigate any potential risks.

RWE supports treatment guidelines and policy decisions by providing evidence of how a product performs in the real world. This can help inform decisions about the most effective and efficient treatments, and guide the development of best practices for their use.

Finally, RWD supports the marketing and reimbursement of a product by demonstrating its real-world value and effectiveness. This is particularly important for new or innovative products that may not have extensive clinical trial data.