Applications of modelling studies.

There is increasing use of economic evaluation to support decision-makers in health services for allocation of scarce healthcare resources. However, information necessary for economic evaluations cannot always be derived from well-conducted prospective clinical studies, and decision-analytical models can be used to provide some of the missing information. A number of applications of decision-analytical models are discussed, including submissions to authorities for reimbursement purposes, pharmacoeconomic programme development, portfolio investment decisions, marketing and communication strategies, and applications in disease management.