Pharmacoeconomics activity

Research also continues into the use of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) as an adjunctive agent to treat uncontrolled hemorrhage. Initial experiences with rFVIIa show that it can decrease transfusions, though large studies have not been performed.41 Ultimately, pharmacoeconomic... 

Tests for the TPMT genotype and phenotype are commercially available. Attention should be paid for those patients who test negative for TPMT status. Patients with poor or intermediate TPMT activity may tolerate only 1/10 to 1/2 of the average 6-MP dose. A pharmacoeconomic model has been developed to analyze the potential cost of screening to prevent azathioprine toxicity. In this model, it was assumed that TPMT deficiency is present in 0.3% of the population, that intermediate activity is present in 11%, and that both groups have an increased risk of developing myelosuppression. Under these circumstances, the model predicted that the costs per Caucasian patient for the first 6 mo of therapy with screening are lower... 

Of course, the nine new drugs (NCEs) were patented and disclosed much earlier than 2001—in the period 1995-1998. But it is quite clear that nine new chemical entities in a typical year is not a large number compared with the scale of the activity of producing some 5 to 12,000,000 compounds for study in preclinical tests. Why is that It s all related to the pharmacoeconomics of drug development in the context of clinical efficacy, safety, and related regulations and legislation. What has driven and what now drives drug discovery ... 

Wider range of patients than in NDA/PLA database Larger numbers of patients Active comparator study designs Supplemental efficacy studies Additional approvals in non-ICH countries Pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacoeconomics in particular healthcare environments Post-marketing commitments All of the above... 

For the elderly, of equal importance to life extension and cure is improvement or preservation of their activities. Thus, the results of quality of life, disease outcomes and pharmacoeconomic studies are of even greater relevance to this special population and to third-party payers. 

The following SIGs are currently active Cancer Care, Drug Information, Education and Training, Geriatrics, Infectious Diseases, Integrated Primary Care, Nutritional Support, Pediatrics, Pharmacoeconomics, Pharmacoepidemiology, and Pharmacokinetics. 

The development of a formulary system within an organization rests with a multidisciplinary committee. In the hospital and health system setting, this is typically called the P T committee. Virtually all hospitals and health-systems have a P T committee.P T committees usually meet six to eight times annually. An ASHP Position Statement on formulary management declares that decisions should be based on clinical, quality of life, and pharmacoeconomic factors that result in optimal patient care. - It advises against decisions solely based on economic factors. The Position Statement also recommends that decisions must include active and direct involvement of physicians, pharmacists, and other appropriate health care providers. This may include dieticians, nurses, administrators and quality management coordinators. 

Currently, ISPOR initiatives include developing standards of research practices to guide the activities of those conducting pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research, and developing educational programs to communicate those research results to healthcare decision makers who could greatly benefit from it. 

When used appropriately, therapeutic interchange has proven to be an extremely effective method of medication cost management. An active and well-organized P T Committee is essential to the success of any therapeutic interchange program. As the focus on the costs involved with medication therapy in health care organizations increases, P T Committees will have to become even more creative in methods used to promote, evaluate, and monitor the effects of therapeutic interchange. The evaluation of quality of life issues, pharmacoeconomics. 

Assessing costs and consequences—the value of a pharmaceutical product or service—depends heavily on the perspective of the evaluation. Common perspectives include those of the patient, provider, payer, and society. A pharmacoeconomic evaluation can assess the value of a product or service from single or multiple perspectives. However, clarification of the perspective is critical because the results of a pharmacoeconomic evaluation depend heavily on the perspective taken. For example, if comparing the value of alteplase (tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA) with that of streptokinase from a patient or societal perspective, tPA may be the best-value alternative because a 1% reduction in mortality rates is observed in this large population. Yet, from a small community hospital s perspective, streptokinase may represent a better value because it provides similar outcomes for less money. Once the perspective is clear, a full evaluation of the relevant costs and consequences can begin. Again, perspective is critical because the value placed on a treatment alternative will be dependent heavily on the point of view taken. 

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