What is the term used when conducting a pharmacoeconomic analysis of two similar treatments for a disease?

The term "cost-minimization analysis" is specifically utilized in situations where two or more treatments for a disease are considered comparable in terms of outcomes or effectiveness. This type of analysis focuses exclusively on determining which treatment option incurs the lowest costs, given that the outcomes are deemed equivalent.

In pharmacoeconomic evaluations, cost-minimization analysis simplifies decision-making for healthcare practitioners and policymakers by analyzing only the financial aspect when choosing between treatments that have been shown to deliver similar results. This can be particularly helpful in scenarios where the effectiveness of different therapies is established, allowing for a straightforward comparison of their costs.

Other types of analyses, such as cost-effectiveness analysis, cost-benefit analysis, and cost-utility analysis, involve additional parameters like measuring clinical outcomes or assigning monetary values to health outcomes, which are not necessary in cost-minimization scenarios where outcomes are equivalent.