Handling time in economic evaluation studies.

BACKGROUND

lime horizon and discounting are important issues in economic evaluation studies and have an impact on the priority of different programs.

OBJECTIVE

Provides supporting rational and theories to propose the appropriate discount rate for both cost and effect and time horizon for conducting economic evaluation studies in Thailand.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Describe the theories that explain time horizon for both the cost of a study and its effect.

CONCLUSION

The recommended uniform discount rate for both costs and effects at the base case is 3% with a variance in range from 0-6% by sensitivity analysis. The time horizon should be long enough to capture the full costs and effects of the programs.