Meta-analysis of pharmacoeconomic research

Author: Hu Shanlian, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: On the occasion of the 2nd International Conference on Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research in Asia and the Pacific, held in Shanghai from March 5 to 7, 2006, we have compiled nearly 100 papers published over the past decade into this book to introduce our work to colleagues and scholars both domestically and internationally. The content covers theoretical and practical aspects of pharmacoeconomics, economic evaluations of different drugs before their market approval in various countries, the economic burden of diseases, pharmaceutical policies and pricing, and other related research. Pharmacoeconomics is an emerging discipline that has increasingly gained attention from China's health, social security, price control, and drug supervision departments, as well as the pharmaceutical industry. A large number of physicians, pharmacists, and researchers have applied pharmacoeconomic evaluation methods to clinical Phase II, III, and IV studies, emphasizing the balance among the efficacy, safety, and economic aspects of drugs. Pharmacoeconomics has been included in the teaching curricula of health economics, clinical epidemiology, evidence-based medicine, and health technology assessment. Some universities have even offered elective courses on it. The pharmacoeconomic research in China is still in its early stages. We sincerely hope that with the support of the international ISPOR organization, the conference will further promote the development of pharmacoeconomics in China in the near future.