Real-World Evidence Studies

Real-World Evidence (RWE) is clinical evidence derived from Real-World Data (RWD)—data routinely collected in clinical practice from electronic health records, insurance claims, patient registries, and other healthcare sources. Formalized by the FDA in 2016 (Sherman et al.), RWE addresses a critical gap: while randomized trials test drugs under ideal conditions, RWE evaluates how treatments actually work in diverse, real patients with comorbidities, competing medications, and varied adherence. RWE complements (not replaces) trial evidence, accelerating regulatory decision-making and supporting post-market surveillance.