Using Evidence To Set Priorities In Health: An Analysis Of Decisions Of The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$174,575.00
Summary
Australia has pioneered the use of rigorous clinical and economic evidence in the evaluation of drugs prior to funding on our nationally subsidised Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. In the ten years since the introduction of the requirement that drugs demonstrate cost effectiveness prior to subsidy being granted there has been no formal independent evaluation of the system to assess its performance. This project will examine the recommendations of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee in ....Australia has pioneered the use of rigorous clinical and economic evidence in the evaluation of drugs prior to funding on our nationally subsidised Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. In the ten years since the introduction of the requirement that drugs demonstrate cost effectiveness prior to subsidy being granted there has been no formal independent evaluation of the system to assess its performance. This project will examine the recommendations of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee in the last decade and consider the factors that explain those decisions. At times it has been asserted that those decisions have been arbitrary or based on inappropriate considerations such as the financial cost to government or politics of the day rather than the value for money of the drug in question. We will examine the reasons behind the decisions against the objectives of providing access to life enhancing medicines in a cost effective manner. We will look at what are the key determinants of whether a drug is recommended for listing on the PBS or is rejected. A key focus will be on whether those determinants could be described as legitimate in terms of their consistency with the objectives of the scheme. For example whether the main cause of rejection is a lack of high quality evidence on effectiveness- cost effectiveness or simply because of factors such as the high financial cost to government. The project will create a database of all submissions to the PBAC 1992-2004 that will allow us to explore a number of questions about the effectiveness of the decision making process in using evidence on effectiveness and costs in health more broadly as well as those specific to the PBS. In highlighting some of the problems with the evidence and its interpretation the overall aim is to improve the quality of the decision making process in the future.Read moreRead less
Accountable Fertility Treatment: An Evidenced-based Framework For The Provision Of Cost-effective, Patient-centred Fertility Treatment In Australia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$423,312.00
Summary
One in six Australian couples experience infertility. This is likely to worsen with trends such as delayed childbearing and rising obesity. Despite the use of fertility treatments doubling in Australia over the last decade there has been a lack of considered analysis of the economic implications of Medicare funding of treatments, such as IVF. This research will develop a framework that will be used by policy makers to support cost-effective and patient-centred fertility treatment in Australia.
Effectiveness, Cost-effectiveness And Equity Of Strategies To Reduce The Burden Of Obesity-related Conditions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$46,900.00
Summary
Decision-makers need a systematic, coordinated approach to the targeting and prioritisation of preventive strategies. But the evidence base for obesity interventions is for the most part small, narrow in approach, limited in impact, and lacking in cost-effectiveness and equity information. This thesis will add to the evidence base regarding the nature of the obesity epidemic in Australia and internationally and the relative cost-effectiveness of strategies to reduce the obesity burden.
First Line Treatments For Common Musculoskeletal Conditions: Establishing Effectiveness And Cost-effectiveness
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$452,583.00
Summary
Dr Christine Lin is an outstanding young researcher whose research focuses on investigating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness (value-for-money) of treatments for common musculoskeletal conditions. These conditions, such as back pain and fracture, are a major cause of disability in Australia and abroad. Dr Lin will lead a series of large clinical studies with an aim to improve patient outcomes while minimising the economic burden on the individual, health system and society.
The Economic Impact Of Managing Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease, Barretts Oesophagus And Oesophageal Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$301,764.00
Summary
Cancer of the oesophagus is a deadly disease with less than 20% of patients expected to live beyond one year after diagnosis. Oesophageal cancer is strongly linked to acid reflux and obesity. This study will look at the economic impact of treating patients for oesophageal cancer and associated precursor conditions and explore the cost-effectiveness of potential screening options for individuals at high-risk.
The Effectiveness Of Rehabilitation And The Efficiency Of Health Service Delivery In Musculoskeletal Conditions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$292,639.00
Summary
Musculoskeletal conditions, such as arthritis and back pain, present a huge burden to the Australian society. The purpose of this research is to establish rehabilitation programs that are effective in reducing disability and the overall health costs, and examine factors that may affect the use of health services. The findings will be used to establish effective strategies, and ensure efficiency (value-for-money) and equity (access to care) in musculoskeletal rehabilitation.
AusGo-SHEMO….Let’s Go! Australian Gold Standard Health Economics Model Of Osteoporosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$378,959.00
Summary
We will develop an unbiased, gold standard, validated, transparent health economics model of osteoporosis to identify cost-effective screening and treatment strategies, and that will be made widely available to all stakeholders. Without this model, scarce health care resources may be squandered on osteoporosis screening strategies and osteoporosis-related fracture prevention medications that are not cost-effective. Worse, patient access to cost-effective medications may be delayed.
Spatially Targeted Intervention For Eliminating Tuberculosis In High-burden Countries
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
The overall goal of my research program is to design and implement an innovative approach for eliminating TB in high-burden countries such as Ethiopia and China. My project will integrate contemporary and sophisticated analytical methods (geospatial methods, network meta-analysis and economic analysis) within a single translational research framework and provide evidence to make a substantial shift from the current paradigm of passive case detection.
Evaluating Hand Hygiene Interventions And Their Ability To Reduce Haelthcare Associated Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$508,848.00
Summary
Healthcare associated infection is a major problem for Australian hospitals. One of the best ways to reduce it is to improve hand hygiene among hospital workers. The National Hand Hygiene Initiative (NHHI) is currently being implemented to improve hygiene among health care workers. This research will evaluate the NHHI and measure how well the program works, what factors are important to its success, and whether implementing the program is good value for money.