Pharmacoeconomic component of a clinical trial conducted in Latin America - Conceptual and empirical considerations

Background: Although pharmacoeconomic studies constitute a valuable tool fo r better managing drug consumption, the conditions under which such studies would be performed in Latin American countries have not been explored. Objectives: The aim of this paper is to evaluate the potential advantages o f and pitfalls in doing pharmacoeconomic research in Latin America and to p ropose avenues to facilitate the development of this field in the region. Methods: The Canadian guidelines for the economic evaluation of pharmaceuti cals served as a structured framework to assess, both prospectively and ret rospectively, the conditions under which the pharmacoeconomic component of a clinical trial held in Mexico and Brazil would be and actually was conduc ted. Results: The conditions under which pharmacoeconomic evaluations are conduc ted must be improved if studies are to contribute to the better management of scarce resources across the entire health care system. Conclusions: The creation of a public funding agency, the reappraisal of ad ministrative data as a management tool in both the public and the private s ectors, and the establishment of national guidelines should be considered w ithin the framework of reforms aimed at allowing healthcare systems to meet their objectives of efficiency and equity.