LONDON, Sept. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Office of Health Economics (OHE) today released the third edition of its popular primer, Health Economics: An Introduction to Economic Evaluation, authored by Gisela Kobelt who has extensive hands-on experience in the field. What distinguishes this book from other such reviews are its fifteen concrete "study examples," which focus on pharmaceuticals.

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The book traces the development of the field of health technology assessment (HTA), discusses current requirements for HTA in a number of health care systems around the world, and offers guidance as to which approach is appropriate in what situations. The study examples highlight the challenges that various approaches must overcome in application and suggest solutions. Included are cost-of-illness studies, cost-minimization analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, cost-utility analysis and cost-benefit analysis.

The value of the primer is highlighted by the continuing popularity of the second edition, even after a decade. Adrian Towse, Director of the OHE, said: "We are excited to offer this expanded and updated third edition, which will attract a wide audience. Written in an accessible style, it will provide important background both for those who undertake evaluations and those who use them in decision making in the public and private sectors. We also expect the guide to be valuable for policy makers and health care policy analysts who wish to know more about HTA and its proper uses."

The 100-page book may be downloaded free of charge by registered users of the OHE website at www.ohe.org. Instructions for ordering on-demand printed version are also available on the website.

Contacts 
Professor Adrian Towse
Director, Office of Health Economics
ATowse@ohe.org   
+44.20.7747.8850

Gisela Kobelt, PhD
Managing Director, European Health Economics
GiselaKobelt@he-europe.com 
+33.608.075.390

The Office of Health Economics is a research and consulting organisation that has been providing specialised research, analysis and expertise on a range of health care and life sciences issues and topics for 50 years. Visit us online at www.ohe.org. Follow us on Twitter @OHENews and on LinkedIn.

Gisela Kobelt has been involved in health economic evaluation since the early 1990s, leading departments at two major pharmaceutical companies and serving as a consultant for several years since. A visiting professor at the University of Lund, Gisela has authored over 90 publications in the field of health economics, several book chapters and numerous reports.

SOURCE Office of Health Economics