Pharmacoeconomics

The field of study that evaluates the behavior of individuals, firms and markets relevant to the use of pharmaceutical products, services and programs, and which frequently focuses on the costs and consequences of that use.

PRO

Patient Reported Outcomes. It is defined in Willke et al.* as follows: The term "Patient-Reported Outcomes" (PROs) has evolved to include any endpoint derived from patient reports, whether collected in the clinic, in a diary, or by other means, including single-item outcome measures, event logs, symptom reports, formal instruments to measure health-related quality of life (HRQoL), health status, adherence, and satisfaction with treatment. This term coincides with the explicit interest from drug development researchers and regulatory authorities in the appropriate utilization and reporting of treatment impact measures.

*Willke R.J., Burke L.B., Erickson P. Measuring treatment impact: a review of patient- reported outcomes and other efficacy endpoints in approved product labels. Controlled Clinical Trials, 2004; 25: 535-552


Psychometric evaluation

Assessment of reliability, validity, responsiveness, interpretation and burden of survey instruments and questionnaires.