Cost of illness studies: no aid to decision making: Reply to Shiell et al. (Health Policy, 8 (1987) 317-323).

Efficient resource allocation in health care requires adequate techniques of collective decision making. In a recent article Shiell, Gerard and Donaldson (Health Policy 8 (1987) 317-323) claim that cost of illness studies only confuse, mask and mislead, while cost-benefit analysis provides the relevant framework for decisions in health care. We do not agree with their naive approach to decision making in health care. In comparing the two alternative methods, their respective importance for decision making becomes apparent. None of the two techniques may be considered as the one and only means to ultimately solving the problem of efficient resource allocation in health care. Yet, both techniques can provide relevant information on which policy makers can base their decisions in health care.