Use of pharmacoeconomics in prescribing research. Part 4: is cost-utility analysis a useful tool?
This paper is the fourth in the 'Research Note' series describing various aspects of pharmacoeconomics in prescribing research. This article describes cost-utility analysis, and how it can be incorporated into pharmacoeconomics. While this approach has intuitive appeal, the uncertainties about the methods for estimating utilities mean that the value of cost-utility analysis in prescribing research is still to be established. Importantly, cost-utility analysis may not capture aspects of quality of life that enable meaningful comparisons between prescribing choices at an individual or societal level.
Brinsmead
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Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medical Practice and Population Health, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, NSW Australia. ginab@smartchat.net.au
Hill
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D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis / Q000379:methods; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000191:economics*; D017850:Economics, Pharmaceutical; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D012107:Research Design