title: Differential pricing of drugs: a role for cost-effectiveness analysis?
abstract: Internationally, the high costs of pharmaceutical products limit access to treatment. The principle of differential pricing is that drug prices should vary according to some measure of affordability. How differential prices should be determined is, however, unclear. Here we describe a method whereby differential prices for essential drugs could be derived in countries of variable national wealth, and, using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors provide an example of how the process might work. Indicative prices for drugs can be derived by cost-effectiveness analysis that incorporates a measure of national wealth. Such prices could be used internationally as a basis of differential price negotiations.
authors.affiliation: WHO Collaborating Centre for Training in Pharmacology and Rational Drug Use, School of Medical Practice and Population Health, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lopert
authors.forename: Danielle L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.forename: Suzanne R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Henry
mesh_terms: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000191:economics*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D018803:Models, Economic; D011306:Prescription Fees / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011634:Public Health
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors