CURRENT ISSUES

Where does the futureof pharmacoeconomics lie?

The future of pharmacoeconomics lies in furtherdeveloping both trial-based and modelling studies,improving the credibility of such studies, andidentifying and catering for the needs of healthcaredecision-makers, says Professor Michael Drummondfrom the University of York, UK.

limitations in current methodologyHe believes that methodological limitations in

current pharrnacoeconomic analyses include the useof: an inappropriate comparator; inadequate medicalevidence; the wrong type of economic analysis;and a limited range of cost and outcome measures.

Professor Drummond also suggests that there is aninappropriate balance between optimism for theproduct and conservatism in the methodologicalapproaches used.

Focus on the end-userThere has been a move away from pharrnaco­

economic modelling in the medical literature,compared with an increase in the use of modellingearly in product development. Although morenaturalistic, trial-based pharrnacoeconomic studiesare being encouraged, they are not always feasible,notes Professor Drummond.

Because pharmacoeconomic decision-making andcommunications are more likely to occur at the localhealth system level, consideration must be given tothe costs and outcomes of the intervention in real-lifepractice and the transparency of results to enableinterpretation in different settings.

Professor Drummond adds that there is a need forstandardisation of methodologies to improve thepractice, interpretation, relevance and credibility ofpharmacoeconomic studies.Drummond ME The future of pharmacoeconomics: bridging science andpractice. Clinical Therapeutics 18: 969-978. Sep-Oct 1996 llOO487""

1173-5503/96/0093-00051$01.00°Adls International L1mltad 1996. All rights reserved PharmacoEconomics & Outcomes News 21 Dec 1996 No. 93

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