Previews of Forthcoming Publications

OHE is making available as Occasional Papers drafts of two important chapters that will appear in the Oxford Handbook on the Economics of the Pharmaceutical Industry due out in 2012. One on access to drugs and vaccines in developing countries and the other on measuring value with pharmacoeconomics.

OHE is making available as Occasional Papers drafts of two important chapters that will appear in the Oxford Handbook on the Economics of the Pharmaceutical Industry due out in 2012.

In 'Drugs and vaccines for developing countries', the authors describe the context of the problem of insufficient affordable medicines in developing countries and detail policies and proposals intended to increase access to global medicines. With respect to neglected diseases, the paper examines policies intended to stimulate development of new medicines — in particular, ‘push’ mechanisms that subsidize research inputs and ‘pull’ mechanisms that reward research output.  The authors discuss whether an optimum mix of approaches can be identified.

Towse, A., Keuffel, E., Kettler, H.E. and Ridley, D.B. (2011) Drugs and vaccines for developing countries. Occasional Paper. London: Office of Health Economics.

In 'Measuring value with pharmacoeconomics', the authors outline the evolution of cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) through its use as part of HTA. They also explore the theoretical and practical issues that have arisen as the result of using CEA of drugs to make decisions about resource allocation, pricing and use.  Recommendations are offered for addressing some of the critical challenges discussed.

Towse, A., Drummond, M. and Sorenson, C. (2011) Measuring value: Pharmacoeconomics in theory and practice. Occasional Paper. London: Office of Health Economics.

Please note that both papers will be available via the links above only until the book appears in print.