Interferon-β-1b in multiple sclerosis - too costly?
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CURRENT ISSUES in multiple sclerosis -too costly? The potential costs associated with the use of b (IFN b) for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are high, and cost control remains an important issue in all healthcare systems in which is licensed, say Drs Keith H Tolley and David K Whynes from the University of Nottingham, England. Their article explores as an example of an agent that is actively promoted by manufacturers, the medical profession and popular press. The licensing has caused concern because of the equivocal evidence of its efficacy, the high levels of public and t_he hig_h u_rrit cost. Cost control may be achieved by reducing the volume used or the unit cost or both, say Drs Tolley and Whynes. Lack of evidence of cost effectiveness provides healthcare purchasers with a powerful argument against demands for Therefore, suppliers need to demonstrate cost effectiveness at existing or, if necessary, lower prices, they conclude. Tolley KH, Whynes DK. Interferon-beta in multiple sclerosis: can we control its costs? PhannacoEconomics 11: 210-215, Mar 1997 800492685 tt73-5503/97/0t05-0005/$01.00c Adis International Limited 1997. All rights reserved 5 PharmacoEconomics & Outcomes News 29 Mar 1997 No. 105
Transcript of Interferon-β-1b in multiple sclerosis - too costly?
CURRENT ISSUES
lnterferon-~-lb in multiple sclerosis -too costly?
The potential costs associated with the use of interferon-~-! b (IFN -~-1 b) for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are high, and cost control remains an important issue in all healthcare systems in which IFN-~-lb is licensed, say Drs Keith H Tolley and David K Whynes from the University of Nottingham, England.
Their article explores IFN-~-lb as an example of an agent that is actively promoted by manufacturers, the medical profession and popular press. The licensing ofiFN-~-lb has caused concern because of the equivocal evidence of its efficacy, the high levels of public expe-et::~tions and t_he hig_h u_rrit cost. Cost control may be achieved by reducing the volume used or the unit cost or both, say Drs Tolley and Whynes.
Lack of evidence of cost effectiveness provides healthcare purchasers with a powerful argument against demands for INF-~-lb. Therefore, suppliers need to demonstrate cost effectiveness at existing or, if necessary, lower prices, they conclude. Tolley KH, Whynes DK. Interferon-beta in multiple sclerosis: can we control its costs? PhannacoEconomics 11: 210-215, Mar 1997 800492685
tt73-5503/97/0t05-0005/$01.00c Adis International Limited 1997. All rights reserved
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PharmacoEconomics & Outcomes News 29 Mar 1997 No. 105
