The impact of pharmaco-economic considerations on the utilization of novel anti-rheumatic therapies.

Rheumatoid arthritis exacts a tremendous cost, not only in physical suffering but also in economic terms. This economic burden arises both from the direct cost of treatment and the indirect cost to patients, their families and society, in decreased quality of life and loss of labour. Currently available therapies have not proven completely effective. Novel biological agents, although more expensive than standard therapies, may prove to be valuable when analysed on the basis of reduced long-term costs resulting from their superior efficacy, relative lack of toxicity and rapid effect.