The role of the economic analysis in the decision making process at the Drug Quality and Therapeutics Committee of Ontario

This thesis examines the role of the economic analysis in the decision making process at the Drug Quality and Therapeutics Committee of Ontario. This committee reviews data submitted by pharmaceutical manufacturers who are requesting listing of products on the provincial formulary. A case study approach was taken; nine meetings were observed and seven committee members were interviewed. This thesis found that the role of the economic analysis in the decision making process was important but limited by various factors. The product's clinical merit and the quality of the submission were dominant factors in the decision making process. Interestingly, the type of drug discussed was another key factor that determined the usefulness of the economic analysis. The committee's membership also shaped the discussions; only one member had extensive training in health economics. Finally, the economic analysis was limited by the context in which it was applied, that of resource allocation.