[Pharmaco-economic evaluations of new drugs: potential key to a more efficient allocation of the health care budget].
In the light of rising expenditure on drugs and health care, a transparent, rational and careful decision-making process is required for the reimbursement of drugs. In the Netherlands, the Ministry of Health intends using pharmaco-economics in this process, i.e., new drugs will not only be judged on their clinical efficacy but also on their cost-effectiveness. Guidelines for pharmaco-economic research in the Netherlands have been published. According to these guidelines, a pharmaco-economic study must contain a cost-effectiveness analysis and/or a cost-utility analysis. In addition, a budgetary impact analysis is required. By 2005, all new drugs with therapeutic added value must supply a pharmaco-economic evaluation in order to apply for reimbursement. It will be the Minister of Health who decides whether a new drug will be reimbursed.
Delwel
G O
GO
College voor zorgverzekeringen, Prof. J. H. Bavincklaan 2, 1183 AT Amstelveen.
Sprenger
M J W
MJ
D002017:Budgets; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D016527:Drug Costs; D004341:Drug Evaluation / Q000191:economics*; D017850:Economics, Pharmaceutical; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands; D011050:Policy Making; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms