Pharmacoeconomics and policy decisions: the Australian health care system.

This paper provides an overview of the use of pharmacoeconomic analysis in the process that governs drug reimbursement decisions in Australia. It discusses the methods by which drugs are evaluated, both clinically and economically, and the means by which these 2 facets are amalgamated; the types of pharmacoeconomic data submitted in support of requests for reimbursement; the methods and standards used to assess these data; some of the more commonly encountered flaws in the data submitted; and how the different types of data influence reimbursement decisions.