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Reimbursement and clinical guidance for pharmaceuticals in Sweden

Do health-economic evaluations support decision making?

  • Pricing and Reimbursement Systems in Europe
  • Published:
The European Journal of Health Economics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction of the new Pharmaceutical Benefits Board (LFN; 1 October 2002) has markedly changed the principles of pricing and reimbursement of drugs in Sweden. The Board is required to make decisions based on information on cost-effectiveness, and pharmaceutical companies must submit economic evaluations when relevant as part of their applications for reimbursement. This study examined experience to date regarding the use of health-economic evaluations and cost-effectiveness information by the LFN. We also describe activities and the use of cost-effectiveness analysis by Swedish local formulary committees organized by the 21 county councils. It is concluded that economic evaluations have supported decision making by LFN, although cost-effectiveness seems to be of varying importance in different situations. While the use of health-economic evaluations and the outcome of decision making by LFN are similar to comparable committees in other countries, there is presently a gap in this sense between the LFN and Swedish local formulary committees. Coordinated decision making is much needed but may be difficult to implement as the perspective, expertise, and objectives of the two public authorities differ.

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Author notes

  1. Anders Anell

    Present address: Swedish Institute for Health Economics, P.O. Box 2127, 22002, Lund, Sweden

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Swedish Institute for Health Economics, Lund, Sweden

    Anders Anell & Ulf Persson

Authors
  1. Anders Anell
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  2. Ulf Persson
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anders Anell.

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Anell, A., Persson, U. Reimbursement and clinical guidance for pharmaceuticals in Sweden. Eur J Health Econ 6, 274–279 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10198-005-0301-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10198-005-0301-6

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