Expert review of pharmacoeconomics & outcomes research
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Expert Rev Pharmacoecon Outcomes Res · Oct 2012
ReviewThe pharmacoeconomics of managing acute agitation in the emergency department: what do we know and how do we approach it?
The emergency department (ED) is commonly the first point of care for patients with acute behavioral issues from the community. Routinely, clinical management involves the use of benzodiazepine and/or antipsychotic drugs, when initial de-escalation strategies fail. There is currently scant literature available to inform the clinical management and resource utilization of acute agitation in the ED. ⋯ The current difficulties experienced in conducting such evaluations are also discussed. Pharmacoeconomic studies related to the management of acute agitation in ED can be challenging. Robust clinical trials incorporating prospectively designed pharmacoeconomic studies will invariably contribute toward a better understanding of this therapeutic area and optimize the use of scarce resources.
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Expert Rev Pharmacoecon Outcomes Res · Oct 2012
ReviewCost-effectiveness of rituximab in follicular lymphoma.
In advanced follicular lymphoma, rituximab is currently used with chemotherapy as induction therapy, and as maintenance monotherapy following induction in previously untreated patients and treatment-experienced relapsed/refractory patients. Herein, the authors characterize the clinical effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness of rituximab in follicular lymphoma, based on the literature review. ⋯ Challenges in cost-effectiveness analysis include the fact that life expectancy for patients with follicular lymphoma exceeds the period of available follow-up data and that treatment pathways are more complex than the model structures frequently used in oncology models. As data accrue and more complex models are developed, the cost-effectiveness of rituximab can be more accurately assessed.