Pharmacoeconomics: disease-based management applications.

Abstract

Pharmacoeconomic information is rapidly becoming an accepted format for evaluating and comparing various treatment options. Such information may either supplement or replace standard methods for evaluating new drugs for possible inclusion on the formulary. It is important to recognize the pitfalls that may accompany different methods of collecting and evaluating pharmacoeconomic studies. Such information is important because drug use and outcomes in a real-world setting may differ substantially from those within the confines of a clinical trial setting.