Clinical pharmacologists in pharmacoeconomics: what is their role?
Clinical pharmacologists have three distinct contributions to make in the economic evaluation of new and existing pharmaceutical products: they should play a significant role in promoting the principles of "opportunity costs" in healthcare; they need to have a broad understanding of the methodology of economic evaluation in healthcare; they have a critical role in bringing their specialist knowledge, skills and experience in decision-making. In fulfilling these essential roles clinical pharmacologists may find themselves outside their conventional "comfort zones". Nevertheless, clinical pharmacologists need to rise to the occasion if they are to meet their obligations to patients and to society as a whole.
Royal Society of Medicine, 1 Wimpole Street, London WC1G 0AE, UK.
Michael D
MD
Rawlins
D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D015195:Drug Design; D017850:Economics, Pharmaceutical / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000191:economics; D010601:Pharmacology, Clinical / Q000379:methods*
D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations