APPLIED PHARMACOECONOMICS - WHEN CAN PUBLICATION BE LEGITIMATELY WITHHELD

Pharmacoeconomic studies can help decision-makers choose the most effi cient drug treatments in our internationally cost-constrained healthca re environment. However, perceptions of bias about the nature of many economic evaluations limit the usefulness of pharmacoeconomic data to decision-makers. In an effort to increase the credibility of pharmacoe conomic studies, several groups have developed methodological guidelin es, and one has developed ethical guidelines for these evaluations. In this article, we evaluate issues related to the publication of the re sults of pharmacoeconomic studies. Pharmacoeconomics is a true science (and should be so treated), rather than a form of marketing. Pharmaco economic studies must undergo the same peer review process and be publ ished in serious research journals, as are other types of scientific i nvestigations. Investigators should attempt to publish the results of pharmacoeconomic studies, even (and, perhaps, especially) when the res ults are not favourable to the sponsor. However, there are acceptable reasons to withhold publication of 'negative' results. For example, wh en methodological problems plague a study, or when the study addresses an investigational drug not likely to be approved, then researchers a re justified in giving up on publication, if they so choose. Similarly , feasibility studies to test methods of data collection or analyses c onducted very early in the drug development process need not always be published. Nonetheless, access to all important investigations - rega rdless of whether the results are positive or negative - will become m ore important as healthcare becomes more evidence-based, as decisions have impact on large populations of people, and as those in charge of formularies actually begin to use cost-effectiveness analysis to help make choices among competing drugs.