Pharmacoeconomics
Prescription for Pharmacoeconomic Analysis (PFPA)
The Prescription for Pharmacoeconomic Analysis (PFPA) describes how PHARMAC undertakes its cost-utility analyses. Documenting this methodology aims to ensure that economic analyses performed by (and for) PHARMAC measure costs, benefits, time preference and uncertainty in a similar fashion; hence enabling comparison between the cost-effectiveness of different interventions and ensuring that the results of analyses are meaningful for decision making. The intended audience for the PFPA is pharmaceutical companies, PHARMAC staff, and contracted health economists preparing economic analyses for PHARMAC.
Download the current version (78 pages, 585 KB) (Version 2) of the Prescription for Pharmacoeconomic Analysis (June 2007).
For historical research purposes, you can also download the previous version (33 pages, 118 KB) (version 1).
Amendments to the PFPA
In 2007, PHARMAC reviewed and consulted on the methods it uses for doing cost-utility analysis and as a result several amendments were made to the PFPA. Here you can read:
Summaries (2 pages, 259 KB) and details of the key amendments (15 pages, 173 KB); and
content and discussion of the consultation responses (16 pages, 173 KB).
PHARMAC will continue to update this document, and we welcome any further feedback.
Methods to Derive Clinical Inputs for Proposals to PHARMAC
Download Recommended methods to derive clinical inputs for proposals to PHARMAC (37 pages, 332 KB) - July 2005.
This document supplements Chapter 4 'Clinical Inputs' of Version 2 of the Prescription for Pharmacoeconomic Analysis, and is part of the Guidelines for Suppliers’ Submissions (52 pages, 2224 KB).
Cost-Utility Analysis (CUA) Explained
The Cost-Utility Analysis (CUA) Explained Guide provides a simple explanation of general CUA concepts. The following general CUA concepts are covered:
- a quick overview of CUA
- assessing clinical evidence for inclusion in a CUA
- assessing benefits and costs
- managing risk in CUA
- the economic model
- the cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) result of a CUA
- using the cost per QALY information
- and commonly asked questions and answers regarding CUA
Click to download the Cost-Utility Analysis (CUA) Explained Guide (12 pages, 504 KB).
For detailed information on the methods for CUA at PHARMAC, please refer to the Prescription for Pharmacoeconomic Analysis (PFPA) (78 pages, 585 KB).
Technology Assessment Reports (TARs)
To view the TARs that PHARMAC has published, click here.
Page updated on 11 Aug 2011
Linked documents
Prescription for Pharmacoeconomic Analysis (78 pages, 585 KB)
Final version 2 of the Prescription for Pharmacoeconomic Analysis – known by many as “the PFPA”. The PFPA has high importance to PHARMAC as it describe the approach we take when doing cost-utility analysis – the form of analysis that provides information on the relative cost-effectiveness of a pharmaceutical compared to other funding options.
Version 1 of the Prescription for Pharmacoeconomic Analysis (33 pages, 118 KB)
Within the health system, we don’t have the resources to do everything we want to do. Consequently, we need a means of deciding how to allocate resources to those activities that we most desire. Cost benefit analysis provides guidance for resource allocation decisions. PHARMAC chooses to use cost-utility analysis (CUA) because it is achievable and practical, yet still enables comparisons across different health interventions.
Summary of Changes to Prescription for Pharmacoeconomic Analysis (PFPA) (2 pages, 259 KB)
Thank you to those who responded to consultation on the draft version 2 of the Prescription for Pharmacoeconomic Analysis (PFPA). PHARMAC staff discussed the consultation…
Details of Key Amendments to PFPA (15 pages, 173 KB)
Key Amendments to the PFPA and Issues Raised in Consultation Key Amendments to the PFPA Key methodological amendments to the PFPA, approved by the PHARMAC Board, include the discount rate used when undertaking cost utility analysis (CUA) and the range…
Responses on Version 2 of PFPA (16 pages, 173 KB)
Consultation Responses on Version 2 of the PFPA PHARMAC consulted on the draft version 2 of the Prescription for Pharmacoeconomic Analysis (PFPA) in August-October 2006. Consultation responses were received from twentyfive individuals and organisations – 13 health economists, three government…
Recommended methods to derive clinical inputs for proposals to PHARMAC (37 pages, 332 KB)
Recommended methods to derive clinical inputs for proposals to PHARMAC Version 1B 20 July 2005 R8-0-0 #62465 Table of contents Recommended methods to derive clinical inputs for proposals to PHARMAC ….. 1 Table of contents… 2 Context of these recommendations…
Guidelines for Funding Applications to PHARMAC 2010 (52 pages, 2224 KB)
Guidelines for Funding Applications to PHARMAC Version 2 2009 Foreword PHARMAC, the Pharmaceutical Management Agency, is primarily responsible for managing the funding of community pharmaceuticals for New Zealanders, on behalf of the District Health Boards. PHARMAC’s objective is to secure,…
Cost-Utility Analysis (CUA) Explained (12 pages, 504 KB)
Pharmaceutical Management Agency Cost-Utility Analysis (CUA) Explained Cost-Utility Analysis (CUA) at PHARMAC Questions and Answers go to page 8 >> The process described in this document is intended to be indicative of the process that PHARMAC may use when undertaking…
