Differential pricing of drugs: a role for cost-effectiveness analysis?
Lopert, R.; Lang, D.L.; Hill, S.R.; Henry, D.A.
Lancet 359(9323): 2105-2107
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0140-6736 PMID: 12086780 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(02)08911-0Document Number: 242345
Internationally, the high costs of pharmaceutical products limit access to treatment. The principle of differential pricing is that drug prices should vary according to some measure of affordability. How differential prices should be determined is, however, unclear. Here we describe a method whereby differential prices for essential drugs could be derived in countries of variable national wealth, and, using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors provide an example of how the process might work. Indicative prices for drugs can be derived by cost-effectiveness analysis that incorporates a measure of national wealth. Such prices could be used internationally as a basis of differential price negotiations.