Background: Zanamivir, a neuraminidase inhibitor, reduces the number of days of illness in influenza-positive patients. New bedside rapid flu tests (RFT) should increase the number of influenza-positive patients whom receive zanamivir appropriately. Objective: To estimate the economic effects of...

Pharmacological treatment of hypertension has been shown to reduce the risk of stroke, coronary events, heart failure and progression of renal disease. However, rates of successful blood pressure control remain low among treated patients while antihypertensive medication represents a large and...

Objective: To measure the economic value of a new insulin formulation consisting of rapid-acting insulin lispro and intermediate-acting neutral protamine lispro in a 25 : 75 ratio (Humalog(R) Mix 25(TM)). Design and Setting: A cost-benefit analysis using a consumer-based willingness-to-pay (WTP)...

The available literature on cost benefit, cost effectiveness and cost utility of different drug and non-drug regimens in preventing hip fractures was reviewed. The cost of a hip fracture and of the different treatment regimens varied considerably from one country to another. In primary...

For practical reasons, in order to carry out economic evaluations of collective decisions, total costs will generally be compared with total benefits; hence, individuals' willingness to pay (WTP) or quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) have to be estimated at an aggregate level. So far,...

Objective: To test the validity of the techniques used to calculate quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) values based on utility functions, using a real population dataset. Design: Using the standard gamble technique, we gathered the preferences of a population sample of 189 individuals on a...

Background: Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) meningitis is associated with high mortality and serious sequelae in children under 5 years of age. Vaccines which can prevent this infection are available. Objective: To evaluate the costs and benefits of a 3-dose immunisation schedule in Manila,...