The PleurX peritoneal drainage catheter for drainage of malignant ascites in a community setting has been evaluated by the NICE Medical Technologies Evaluation Programme. This article outlines the evidence included in the Sponsor's submission, the independent critique by the External Assessment...

This paper examines the service-wide costs to the English NHS that are associated with a Hospital Trust expanding the utilisation of cell salvage techniques as an alternative to using donated blood collected from volunteer donors. Costs in the respective NHS organisations should not be viewed in...

Background: In order to increase price competition, government regulations focus on controlling drug costs. Drug costs after patent expiry are an area of particular interest because the substitution of branded medication with generics represents an opportunity for lowering drug costs. However,...

Background: It has long been recognized that brand name prescription medications are more expensive in the US than in Canada. However, non-peer-reviewed reports contend that this is not the case for generic medications. Objective: To compare prices for generic prescription medications in the US...

Background:Background: One of the challenges when undertaking economic evaluations of weight management interventions is to adequately assess future health impacts. Clinical trials commonly measure impacts using surrogate outcomes, such as reductions in body mass index, and investigators need to...

Background:Background: Osteoporosis is a common condition and the economic burden of osteoporosis-related fractures is significant. While studies have reported the incremental or attributable costs of osteoporosis-related fracture, data on the economic impact of osteoporosis-related fractures in...

Background: All age groups are affected by influenza infection, resulting in significant medical and economic burden. Influenza infection of healthy working adults can have a marked effect on companies due to lost work days and reduced productivity. Studies in corporate settings have shown that...

Background: The Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act (FDAMA) of 1997, Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act (BPCA) of 2002 and Pediatric Research Equity Act of 2007 provide an extended period of 6 months of marketing exclusivity (i.e. patent extension) to prescription drug...

Introduction: Despite recent concerns over the effectiveness and safety of atypical antipsychotics compared with first-generation antipsychotics, prescribing of atypical antipsychotics continues to increase. The use of generic atypical antipsychotics is one way to address cost concerns,...

Background:Background: Within total health expenditure, the share of out-of-pocket health expenditure by individuals has increased in the past 25 years in China, from 20% in 1980 to 49% in 2006, with a peak of 59% in 2000. Medical issues have become a larger concern than any other issue for...