PlatformQ Health is pleased to support the “Well Beyond Blue” initiative, championed by the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), which aims to connect people who live with depression with researchers, regulators, and life science companies better understand what it’s like to live with depression and what is most important in terms of better treatment options.
Major depression affects 6-7% of the U.S. population and is the leading cause of disability for adults ages 18 to 44, but in spite of the large toll it takes on individuals, families, and communities, there have been relatively few forums for people to share their experiences, express their treatment needs directly with those involved in research, development, and regulation of medications, medical devices, and diagnostic tests.
Spearheaded by DBSA, a PlatformQ Health’s advocacy partner who collaborated on tethered education for those living with major depressive disorder earlier this year, the “Well Beyond Blue” initiative includes several opportunities for people whose lives have been affected by depression to provide information to those who are shaping the future of treatment and care for the condition.
“When we wanted to educate patients living with major depressive disorder, and clinicians treating these patients, we knew we needed to collaborate with DBSA – they have a deep understanding of the needs of this community, and were stellar partners for the tethered program we released together in toward the end of last year,” remarked PlatformQ Health’s SVP of Education Kathryn Pucci. “Now, we are thrilled to be able to help them spread the word about the new opportunities they are forging for patients. By putting those most affected in direct discussion with those who create the next generation of treatment options, we believe “Well Beyond Blue” will deliver better options for future patients.”
On November 16, 2018, DBSA will begin by hosting the Well Beyond Blue Patient-Focused Medical Product Development meeting in the Washington, D.C.-area from 12:30pm until 4:30 p.m. This externally focused FDA meeting, part of PFDD (patient focused drug development) will feature panel and group discussion, drug and medical device developers, researchers, and the FDA will be in active listening mode to hear patient perspectives. Those interested can participate in-person or via a live webcast.
DBSA is also conducting a 3-part anonymous survey, developed in partnership with people living with depression and bipolar and the Milken Institute for Strategic Philanthropy, that aims to support patient-centered development of new medical products and care, as well as inform research funding priorities. It takes about 15 minutes to complete, and survey results will be included in the final Well Beyond Blue report that will be shared with FDA, life science companies, research funders, the community of people with lived experience, and the public.