title: [Are drugs worth their cost?].
abstract: Drugs constantly jeopardize the balance among Bioethical Principles governing Healthcare. Their correct use implies more than a correct clinical diagnosis and an academic prescription and demands thorough coordination among all healthcare levels (Regulatory Agencies, the State, the Pharmaceutical Industry and professionals) and the necessary incentive for the research and development process to provide true therapeutic innovations. The interannual growth of Pharmaceutical Expenditure in the public sector in the last few years has greatly exceeded growth in the consumer price index and the gross domestic product. The economic problem of drugs utilization therefore centers on their opportunity cost and on their impact on the sustainability of the system overall. Cost-utility, as an accepted principle for the incorporation and use of new technologies is not always taken into account in prioritization, decision-making and interventions.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Farmacia, Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, España. jaime.poquet@marinasalud.es
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Martín-Conde
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tévar Alfonso
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: García García
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003657:Decision Making; D017277:Drug Approval; D016527:Drug Costs; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004467:Economics; D059066:Gross Domestic Product; D015276:Health Care Rationing; D006292:Health Priorities; D006295:Health Resources / Q000600:supply & distribution; D006801:Humans; D007880:Legislation, Drug; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000191:economics*; D011306:Prescription Fees; D013030:Spain; D035703:Therapies, Investigational / Q000191:economics
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations