ACE inhibitors for the treatment of hypertension drug selection by means of the SOJA method.

ACE inhibitors have proven to be effective blood pressure lowering agents with an excellent tolerability profile. The family of these drugs is still expanding, necessitating the definition of selection criteria in order to choose the "right drug". In this article the ACE inhibitors available in the United Kingdom (UK) are scored by means of the SOJA method.

Matrix models and STEPS: concluding remarks.

This paper provides an overview of the use of matrix models within the context of Pharmacotherapy. It also discusses the application of these matrix models to the Safe Therapeutic Economic Pharmaceutical Selection (STEPS) approach used in Northern Ireland.

Safe Therapeutic Economic Pharmaceutical Selection (STEPS): development, introduction and use in Northern Ireland.

A number of medicine selection methods have been used worldwide for formulary purposes. In Northern Ireland, integrated medicines management is being developed, and related projects have been carried out. This paper deals with the description of the STEPS (Safe Therapeutic Economic Pharmaceutical Selection) programme.

System of Objectified Judgement Analysis (SOJA) as a tool in rational and transparent drug-decision making.

Drug selection should be a rational process that embraces the principles of evidence-based medicine. However, many factors may affect the choice of agent. It is against this background that the System of Objectified Judgement Analysis (SOJA) process for rational drug-selection was developed.

InforMatrix as an alternative tool in rational and transparent drug-decision making.

InforMatrix is a decision matrix technique by means of which a group of experts on a subject (health condition) determine, on the basis of agreed criteria, an order of merit for the various available treatment options for that condition. The goal of the InforMatrix program is to make a rational selection of first-choice medications or drugs following the evaluation of the clinical value of available therapeutic agents. This paper describes the InforMatrix methodology, and also provides an explanation of the various selection criteria that are used by the InforMatrix technique of drug selection.