FYI from this weeks Lancet - available in full text to full subscribers only.
D.
Differential pricing of drugs: a role for cost effectiveness analysis
Ruth Lopert, Danielle L Lang, Suzanne R Hill, David A Henry
Lancet 2002; 359: 2105-07
http://www.thelancet.com/journal/vol359/iss9323/abs/llan.359.9323.editorial_and_review.21400.1
WHO Collaborating Centre for Training in Pharmacology and Rational Drug Use, School of Medical Practice and Population Health, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia (R Lopert BMed, D L Lang PostgradDipHlthEc, S R Hill FAFPHM, Prof D A Henry FRCP)
Correspondence to: Prof David Henry, Newcastle Mater Hospital, Waratah, New South Wales 2298, Australia (e-mail:[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>)
Internationally, the high costs of pharmaceutical products limit access to treatment. The principle of differential pricing is that drug prices should vary according to some measure of affordability. How differential prices should be determined is, however, unclear. Here we describe a method whereby differential prices for essential drugs could be derived in countries of variable national wealth, and, using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors provide an example of how the process might work. Indicative prices for drugs can be derived by cost-effectiveness analysis that incorporates a measure of national wealth. Such prices could be used internationally as a basis of differential price negotiations.
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