title: Cost-effectiveness estimates reported for tumor necrosis factor blocking agents in rheumatoid arthritis refractory to methotrexate--a brief summary.
abstract: In the climate of rising healthcare expenditures the economic evaluation of new therapies becomes increasingly important in decision-making by health authorities. This article highlights some of the considerations regarding the economic assessment of drug treatments as they relate to rheumatic diseases, with emphasis on new biologic therapies such as tumor necrosis factor inhibitors.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Decision Making, the Department of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maetzel
mesh_terms: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000191:economics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D001691:Biological Therapy / Q000191:economics*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013548:Sweden; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D006113:United Kingdom; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D008727:Methotrexate