Pharmacoeconomics of emerging therapies for rheumatoid arthritis. Based on a presentation by Arthur Kavanaugh, MD.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a costly disease. Patients with this condition not only utilize substantial medical resources, but also incur high indirect costs in the form of work disability. These indirect costs are generally much greater than the direct costs. Therefore, a new therapy that is able to control this disease more effectively may be cost effective, even if the direct costs of the therapy itself are high. From a cost-analysis point of view, patients with refractory disease may be good candidates for a new therapy. All costs, direct and indirect, should be considered, and a global, long-term perspective on patient care should be taken. One way to estimate the worth of a therapy based on its ability to improve how patients feel would involve a utility or quality-of-life analysis.