Cost-effectiveness: from whose perspective?

Abstract

Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of medical interventions, particularly pharmaceuticals, has been the focus of much debate in this country over the past few years. Although the support for efficient utilization of monies is widespread, the delicate balance between optimizing patient outcome with the costs to do so in high-risk patients is especially difficult. Although research in the field of cost-effectiveness is widespread, at present there are few guidelines in this country. Furthermore, the introduction of bias is a serious concern in the interpretation and validation of studies, often limiting their utility. Guidelines that can be implemented to minimize bias in economic research have been identified to include administrative, methodology-based, and ethical parameters. The standardization and implementation of such guidelines can reduce bias in economic research and optimize study validity. This review focuses on these issues and suggests that initial steps to produce unbiased economic research include total disclosure, appropriate comparator selection, complete release of all relevant data, and the cooperation of all involved parties.