title: The cost-effectiveness of biopharmaceuticals: a look at the evidence.
abstract: Due to the increasing availability and costs of biopharmaceuticals, policymakers are questioning whether they provide good value relative to other health interventions and many are increasingly relying on cost-utility analyses (CUAs) to supplement decision-making. Analyzing data from the Tufts Medical Center Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Registry, this study critically reviewed the cost-utility literature for biopharmaceuticals and compared their value to other health interventions. Of 2,383 studies in the registry, biopharmaceutical CUAs comprised the sixth largest category of interventions at 11%. Characteristics of biopharmaceutical articles were similar to other CUAs; however, they displayed slightly better quality. The median cost-effectiveness ratio of biopharmaceuticals was less favorable (i.e., higher) than other interventions though many seem to provide value for money. A logistic regression showed that among biopharmaceuticals the cost-effectiveness of industry-sponsored studies and products that treat infectious diseases were significantly more likely to be favorable (less than the overall median), while cancer and neurological treatments were significantly less likely.
authors.affiliation: Center for the Study of Drug Development; Tufts University School of Medicine; Boston, MA USA.
authors.forename: Andrew W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: Center for the Evaluation of Value and Risk in Health; Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies; Tufts Medical Center; Boston, MA USA.
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Neumann
mesh_terms: D001702:Biopharmaceutics; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D030541:Databases, Genetic; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics; D012042:Registries