Choosing malaria Treatment: The role of Economic Evaluation

ABSTRACT

"Uganda; like all malarious countries; is battling with the problem of resistance of malaria to affordable antimalarial drugs. With limited alternatives to choose from; Uganda policy makers need to make informed decisions about whether it is necessary to change malaria treatment options should be considered? When should such a change be introduced? And what other information is necessary before of such changes are made? In Uganda Health Bulletin (April 2001) Talisuna AO et al give a good exposition of drug resistance to antimalarials in Uganda and the possible treatment options that Ugandan policy makers could consider. In addition they raise the critical issue of the need for policy makers to make informed decisions guided by information on ""drug efficacy; health seeking behaviour; cost and cost effectivenss;"" for all the treatment options available. Having the identified the above gaps as hindering decision-making in Uganda; this article seeks to discuss the rationale for conducting economic evaluations and using their findings to guide decision-making. The author also provides a critical exposition of the different methods of conducting such evaluations. This article discusses; in a ""non-technical"" language; the necessary information about methods for conducting economic evaluations; and what users of such methods need to mindful of. The article also briefly discusses the possibility of undertaking economic evaluation in Uganda; highlighting econtexual issues that are likely to have major implciations for change in malaria treatment."