OBJECTIVES: Need and feasibility study of Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (POR) in Nepal METHODS: Field study and personal communication with stakeholders conducted on the need and feasibility of POR in Nepal. RESULTS:

Few researchers have identified and stressed the need of Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (POR) in Nepal, however then, the inference is largely undermined. Poor access to safe and quality medicines, price variation among brands, scarcity of specialists, poor stakeholders’ (pharmaceutical companies, researchers and payers) concern, inadequate health care investment are among several factors for its confounding growth. Few Asian countries have considered Health Technology Assessment, HTA (in making drug use reimbursement decisions); and Nepal has also conducted HTA programs (but with poor attention on the cost of medicines)(free of cost), quality health services (universal health coverage) and financial protection of health expenditure. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, for implementing above objectives of NHP and incorporating spirit of POR in National Medicines Policy (which is in process of revision), an approach to develop a national capacity on POR is urgently needed.