TY - JOUR
T1 - Changes in cost-effectiveness over time
T2 - The case of epoetin alfa for renal replacement therapy patients in the UK
AU - Remák, Edit
AU - Hutton, J.
AU - Jones, M.
AU - Zagari, M.
PY - 2003
Y1 - 2003
N2 - We analysed the factors influencing cost-effectiveness of a health care intervention over time using economic evaluations of erythropoietin as a case study. The analytical framework of a study conducted in 1990 was used to revisit the cost-effectiveness of erythropoietin. Study variables were updated to 2000 using meta-analysis, published sources, and expert opinion. After 10 years of further experience with the use of erythropoietin the cost-effectiveness ratio now falls within the range considered acceptable in the UK. The analysis shows that the vast proportion of the reduction in the cost-effectiveness ratio achieved since 1990 results from reductions in the dose and price of erythropoietin. True cost-effectiveness of a treatment can change over time, and early analysis can reach incorrect conclusions because of data deficiencies. The existence of a body such as NICE might have delayed the widespread adoption of erythropoietin in the UK, but the higher standards of clinical and economic evidence demanded by such a body might have expedited the appropriate pricing, dosage, and hence utilisation of the treatment.
AB - We analysed the factors influencing cost-effectiveness of a health care intervention over time using economic evaluations of erythropoietin as a case study. The analytical framework of a study conducted in 1990 was used to revisit the cost-effectiveness of erythropoietin. Study variables were updated to 2000 using meta-analysis, published sources, and expert opinion. After 10 years of further experience with the use of erythropoietin the cost-effectiveness ratio now falls within the range considered acceptable in the UK. The analysis shows that the vast proportion of the reduction in the cost-effectiveness ratio achieved since 1990 results from reductions in the dose and price of erythropoietin. True cost-effectiveness of a treatment can change over time, and early analysis can reach incorrect conclusions because of data deficiencies. The existence of a body such as NICE might have delayed the widespread adoption of erythropoietin in the UK, but the higher standards of clinical and economic evidence demanded by such a body might have expedited the appropriate pricing, dosage, and hence utilisation of the treatment.
KW - Cost effectiveness
KW - Economic evaluation
KW - Erythropoietin
KW - Renal replacement therapy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0037930215&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10198-002-0164-z
DO - 10.1007/s10198-002-0164-z
M3 - Article
C2 - 15609178
AN - SCOPUS:0037930215
SN - 1618-7598
VL - 4
SP - 115
EP - 121
JO - European Journal of Health Economics
JF - European Journal of Health Economics
IS - 2
ER -