Departments are influencing important clinical trial parameters, such as sample size, the countries in which trials are conducted, and indications to be studied. . . . Regulatory heads were thought to have the least understanding of the contribution of pharmacoeconomics. Senior management was often thought to have little or no understanding of the value of pharmacoeconomics to profits. Pharmacoeconomics defined Pharmacoeconomics measures the total costs associated with a disease and compares net costs for interventions that achieve the same outcome. This provides valuable information to health care decision makers, who must allocate resources.
Department heads say there are obstacles to optimal research. . .
The top three perceived obstacles to optimal research were conflicting internal priorities, inadequate resources, and lack of appreciation of the value of pharmacoeconomics by other decision-makers. Reporting structure that favors either a clinical or marketing perspective Insufficient number of experts available to hire for internal positions Weak product pipelines Lack of responsibility for pharmacoeconomic studies in all phases of the product lifecycle . . . which a different reporting structure could possibly resolve. About the Study Pharmacoeconomics department heads in 40 major pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms were surveyed during 1999. Authors Joseph A. DiMasi, Ph.D., Director of Economic Analysis, Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development. Inc. Maria Wood-Armany, M.P.H., Research Coordinator, Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development.