Robert W. Dubois, M.D., Ph.D., is the chief science officer and executive vice president of the National Pharmaceutical Council (NPC), which sponsors and participates in research on the appropriate use of pharmaceuticals and the clinical and economic value of pharmaceutical innovation. NPC’s research contributes to the scientific foundation for informed discussions about health care access, coverage, appropriate use and value.
As NPC’s chief science officer, a position he has held since 2010, Dr. Dubois oversees NPC’s research on policy issues related to the appropriate role of real-world evidence in decision-making, how best to determine value of health care services, the relationship between access and health outcomes, and approaches to maintain an environment supportive of innovation. He also served as NPC's interim president and CEO from Sept. 2020 to Apr. 2021, guiding NPC and its staff during the search for a permanent executive.
Dr. Dubois, who is board certified in internal medicine, brings more than 25 years of experience in health care research, with a particular focus on understanding and ensuring that patients receive high value health care. He has co-founded and led various health care research organizations in developing quality research with practical application.
Dr. Dubois was previously the Chief Medical Officer of Cerner Life Sciences, co-founded Protocare Sciences and was its executive vice president, chief medical officer, and later its CEO.
Throughout his career, Dr. Dubois’ primary interest has centered on defining “what works” in health care and finding ways for that evidence to inform health care decision-making. He is a recognized expert in the areas of defining best practice, disease management and appropriateness of care. He has authored more than 175 peer-reviewed articles on comparative effectiveness, evidence-based medicine, the development of practice guidelines and determining the optimal use of high-cost medical services.
Dr. Dubois received his AB from Harvard College, his MD from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and his PhD in health policy from the RAND Graduate School. He is the associate editor of the Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research and is on the editorial board for Health Affairs and The American Journal of Managed Care.