The Importance of Perspective in Pharmacoeconomic Analyses

Abstract

Readers of pharmacoeconomic analyses should pay attention to the perspective used in conducting the analyses because very different costs may be included based on the investigators' perspectives. The most common perspectives are those of providers, payers, patients, and society. The societal perspective is broadest and is usually preferred.

Key Words:

• Pharmacoeconomics
• perspective
• payer
• provider
• patient
• society

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Gary M. Oderda

Cherokee Layson-Wolf, PharmD, is Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. At the time that this review was conducted, she was a Community Care Pharmacy Practice Resident at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Perry G. Fine, MD, is Professor of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine and Associate Medical Director, Pain Management Center at the University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City; and National Medical Director, VistaCare, based in Scottsdale, AZ. This commentary is based on an article in Dr. Fine's VistaCare Palliative Medicine Monitor.

Jonathan R. Gavrin, MD, is the Internet editor for the Journal. He is Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine; Associate Member, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center; and Associate Director for Clinical Anesthesia Services, Harborview Medical Center.

Perry G. Fine, MD, is Professor of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine and Associate Medical Director, Pain Management Center at the University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City; and National Medical Director, VistaCare, based in Scottsdale, AZ. This commentary is based on an article in Dr. Fine's VistaCare Palliative Medicine Monitor.

Philip J. Wiffen, is the Regional Pharmaceutical and Prescribing Adviser, Anglia & Oxford Region of the National Health Service Executive, a member of the Oxford Regional Pain Relief Unit and Coordinating Editor of the Cochrane Collaboration Pain Palliative and Supportive Care Collaborative Review Group.

Perry G. Fine, MD, is Professor of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine; Associate Medical Director, Pain Management Center at the University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City; and National Medical Director, VistaCare, based in Scottsdale, AZ. This commentary is based on an article in Dr. Fine's VistaCare Palliative Medicine Monitor.