Methodological quality of economic evaluations of new pharmaceuticals in The Netherlands.

Background: In the Netherlands, decisions about the reimbursement of new pharmaceuticals are based on cost effectiveness, as well as therapeutic value and budget impact. Since 1 January 2005, drug manufacturers are formally required to substantiate the cost effectiveness of drugs that have therapeutic added value in comparison with existing ones through pharmacoeconomic evaluations. Dutch guidelines for pharmacoeconomic research provide methods guidance, ensuring consistency in both the evidence and the decision-making process about drug reimbursement.

[Cost-effectiveness of new drugs impacts reimbursement decision making but room for improvement].

Objective: For new drugs to be included in appendix 1B of the drug reimbursement system, they must have proven added therapeutic value, an acceptable budget impact, and be cost-effective. To validate the latter, pharmacoeconomic evaluations have become mandatory. These evaluations should adhere to guidelines for pharmacoeconomic research.

Intensive group training protocol versus guideline physiotherapy for patients with chronic low back pain: a randomised controlled trial.

Intensive group training using principles of graded activity has been proven to be effective in occupational care for workers with chronic low back pain. Objective of the study was to compare the effects of an intensive group training protocol aimed at returning to normal daily activities and guideline physiotherapy for primary care patients with non-specific chronic low back pain. The study was designed as pragmatic randomised controlled trial with a setup of 105 primary care physiotherapists in 49 practices and 114 patients with non-specific low back pain of more than 12 weeks duration participated in the study.

[MR-colonography in hospitalized patients: feasibility and sensitivity].

Introduction: Besides conventional colonoscopy, CT and MR colonography offer alternate virtual imaging modalities of the colon. The sensitivity of CT colonography, which is associated with radiation exposure, has been published in prior, large studies. Regarding MR colonography, in particular dark lumen MR colonography with the rectal administration of a water enema as a contrast agent, only limited published data exist.

Economic evaluation of an intensive group training protocol compared with usual care physiotherapy in patients with chronic low back pain.

Study Design: Economic evaluation from a societal perspective conducted alongside a randomized controlled trial with a follow-up of 52 weeks.

Objective: To evaluate the cost effectiveness and cost utility of an intensive group training protocol compared with usual care physiotherapy in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain. The intensive group training protocol combines exercise therapy, back school, and behavioral principles.