Health economic models: a question of balance--summary of an open discussion on the pharmacoeconomic evaluation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Pharmacoeconomics and pharmacoeconomic models are increasingly being used to guide health care decisions. In designing and using these models, an appropriate balance must be struck between scientific rigour and model transparency. It is therefore important to consider carefully how the various model components, such as model perspective, internal and external validity, and choice of comparators and outcomes, should be integrated into the model. These factors are discussed in relation to the pharmacoeconomic evaluation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.