Defining types of economic evaluation.
OBJECTIVE
Recommend types of economic evaluation for Thai health technology assessment (HTA) guideline.


METHODS
Various types of economic evaluation, including their definitions and background theories from research documentations were explored. In addition, the international economic evaluation guidelines were reviewed. Finally, the recommendations for Thai HTA guideline were made.


RESULTS
There are generally four types of economic evaluation: Cost-BenefitAnalysis (CBA), Cost-Minimization Analysis (CMA), Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (CEA), and Cost-Utility Analysis (CUA). Theories ofwelfare and extra-welfare economics were used to explain each type of economic evaluation. From the international guidelines, each country's guideline has its own preferred types of economic evaluation. CEA and CUA were more likely to be recommended in those guidelines.


CONCLUSIONS
For Thai HTA guideline, CUA was recommended to be a method of choice. However CEA could be used, especially when only intermediate outcomes of compared alternatives are available.
Ngorsuraches
Surachat
S
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prince of Songkla University, Hatyai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand. surachat.n@psu.ac.th
D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D017850:Economics, Pharmaceutical; D006801:Humans; D018803:Models, Economic; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical / Q000191:economics*; D013785:Thailand