title: The use (or rather the non-use) of cost-effectiveness data in priority setting decisions - are we underestimating the barriers to using health economics in real world priority setting decisions?: Comment on "Use of cost-effectiveness data in priority setting decisions: experiences from the national guidelines for heart diseases in Sweden".
abstract: After having practicing and researching health economics for nearly 15 years now, it has become clear to me that the use of cost-effectiveness data in priority setting decisions is rather a rare than a common practice. The Eckard et al. article though, describes a wonderful exception to this rule and a very good example of how it can be used when the conditions are right. However, do we fully understand what these conditions are? In this commentary article I will address some of the institutional and cultural conditions that need to be fulfilled in order for cost-effectiveness data to actually be used in priority setting decisions.
authors.affiliation: LEO Pharma A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Sandra T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Erntoft
keywords: Cost-effectiveness; Health Policy; Priority Setting