Re-engineering drug development: integrating pharmacoeconomic research into the drug development process.

Pharmacoeconomic research will be an increasingly important aspect of drug development as providers, third-party payers, and worldwide government health agencies use cost-effectiveness and quality-of-life data to assist in making decisions on optimal pharmaceutical treatment protocols, formulary listings, and reimbursement. It is in the best interest of pharmaceutical companies to have an established, well-integrated pharmacoeconomic research program that can respond to the dynamic health-care environment and proactively plan a program to optimize patient care. The new paradigm for pharmacoeconomic research will require establishment and successful management of many internal and external customer relationships. This article discusses one company's organization of these relationships and how they are integrated into the drug development process during each stage of the product life cycle.