New HEDS project for NICE - Cost Minimisation

HEDS Professors Simon Dixon and Allan Wailoo are working on a project for NICE called Cost Minimisation. NICE sometimes uses a ‘cost minimisation’ or ‘cost comparison’ method to determine value for money for the NHS. Generally, cost minimisation analysis has tended to be both less well explored academically, and less frequently used for health technology assessments compared with cost utility analysis. 

NICE have therefore decided to commission the DSU to review and suggest changes (if necessary) to the existing ‘cost minimisation, consequences or comparison’ methods to ensure they are informed by the latest and best available health economic methodological research. Unless the outcome of this project indicates otherwise, the aim is to have a single standard method in the Centre for Health Technology Evaluation’s guidance.