Health economist

A health economist generates the health economic evidence that justifies the value of new drugs and communicating the results. Alternatively, they work as an authority that evaluates the evidence companies provide.

Ultimately, health economists impact patients’ access to pharmaceutical drugs.

What does a Health economist do?

• Validate and evaluate health economy models
  
  
• Build models e.g., budget models and cost-effectiveness models
  
  
• Coordinate and conduct health economic research
  
  
• Monitor reimbursement systems, HEOR guidelines and real-world evidence trends
  
  
• Establish and maintain relations with stakeholders e.g. payers and opinion leaders
  
  
• Communicate health economic results

Example of work as a Health economist

If people with osteoporosis take their medicine close to a meal the effect disappears. A pharmaceutical company have developed a drug that keeps the effect regardless of meals.

The clinical effect is clear but what about the socio-economic value? A health economist makes an analysis of the evidence needed by looking at authorities’ guidelines.

Based on this, he develops a model showing the cost for society if osteoporosis patients are not properly medicated.

With an external vendor he sets up a study that examines how difficult it is for people to take their medicine separate from meals.

When all the research is ready, he summarizes it and outline how it should be communicated.