Role of pharmacoeconomics in drug benefit decision-making: Results of a survey

The ultimate measure of the value of pharmacoeconomic data is determining whether and how this information is being used in drug benefit decision-making activities. This survey of formulary readers in managed care settings identifies their use of and views toward pharmacoeconomic studies, preferences for various types and sources of pharmacoeconomic information, and impact of such information on the actual drug benefit decision-making process. Among the interesting findings - published pharmacoeconomic studies showing short-term medical savings were rated the most important to drug benefit decision-making; unsolicited pharmacoeconomic information was deemed just as important as solicited information; and more changes still need to be made in the ways pharmacoeconomic studies are conducted and distributed to make the results more applicable to users' needs.