Using economics alongside clinical trials: why we cannot choose the evaluation technique in advance

Cam Donaldson*, Vanora Hundley, Emma McIntosh

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

When drafting protocols for the use of economic evaluation alongside clinical trials, it is common to have to specify which type of economic evaluation is going to be carried out. Will it be a cost-benefit analysis (CBA), cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) or a cost-utility analysis (CUA)? It is our contention that prior specification of the appropriate economic technique is not possible, in the majority of cases, until data on effectiveness and cost are actually available. In this letter, we aim to demonstrate the thinking behind our contention and to illustrate this with two case studies; one of a recent randomised trial, the other of a trial currently in progress.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)267-269
Number of pages3
JournalHealth Economics
Volume5
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 1996
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • CBA
  • CEA
  • Clinical trials
  • CUA

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health Policy

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