Efficiency-based pharmacotherapy: a new approach for decision-making in medical practice. (1st February 2002)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Soto, Javier
• Is Part Of: Expert review of pharmacoeconomics & outcomes research. Volume 2:Number 1(2002)
• Page Start: 35
• Page End: 42
• Publication Date: 2002-02-01
• Subjects: cost-effectiveness analysis -- drug expenditure containment -- drug therapy prioritizing -- efficiency-based pharmacotherapy -- evidence-based medicine -- league tables; Pharmacology -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; 338.47615105
• DOI: 10.1586/14737167.2.1.35
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-7167

Abstract

For many years, efficacy and safety have been key parameters for decision-making in healthcare policy. However, the current situation is rather different as resources are scarce, so it is necessary to take efficiency into account when allocating limited resources. Efficiency-based pharmacotherapy is a new discipline that combines the principles of cost-effectiveness analysis with the criteria of evidence-based medicine to obtain the efficiency of therapeutic options to treat important diseases. A league table for each important pathology will be created by ranking all available drugs according to their incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. In this way, clinicians and other decision-makers would be able to advice the use and implantation of drug therapy options with better value for money in routine medical practice.