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Lucinda L. Maine, Ph.D., R.Ph.
Executive Vice President and CEO
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
"As I reviewed The Art of Pharmacoeconomics I couldn’t help but think of how far the field has come since Bootman et al published the first pharmacoeconomics textbook 30 years ago. Reflecting on the growing importance of medications as part of health care systems and economics, their work provided foundational definitions and research methods. In the ensuing decades, the field has matured significantly as properly reflected in Dr. Kaakeh’s new contribution to the field. From a small, dedicated community of health services researchers exploring critical questions regarding the economic and humanistic value of pharmacotherapy, pharmacists and others in healthcare today must have a working knowledge of pharmacoeconomic research and evaluation. This is especially necessary as payment systems shift from volume to value where optimization of drug therapy ascends to the highest level of importance. Well-managed medication use is central to optimal health outcomes, broadly defined.
This reference guide offers many target audiences a highly valuable resource to demystify pharmacoeconomic analyses. Understanding the language, methods and analysis of this research has become fundamental to clinicians as well as to those designing and administering health benefits. I applaud Rola for offering this accessible guide which I hope will become as central to health professional’s education and practice as mainstream pharmacotherapeutics references have become." - Dr. Lucinda Maine
Lucinda L. Maine, Ph.D., R.Ph. serves as executive vice president and CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. Prior to assuming her current role in July 2002, Dr. Maine served as senior vice president for policy, planning and communications with the American Pharmacists Association (APhA). Analyzing trends in healthcare, assessing the implications for pharmacy practice and advocating appropriate recognition for all pharmacists were her top priorities at APhA. Dr. Maine is a pharmacy graduate of Auburn University and received her doctorate at the University of Minnesota. She served on the faculty at the University of Minnesota where she practiced in the field of geriatrics and was an associate dean at the Samford University School of Pharmacy. In March 2019, Lucinda received the Remington Honor Medal from APhA.
James G. Stevenson, PharmD, FASHP, FFIP
Professor of Clinical Pharmacy at the University of Michigan & Chief Clinical Officer at Omnicell
"Have you been looking for an excellent introductory text or reference to the topic of pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research? The Art of Pharmacoeconomics by Dr. Rola Kaakeh was written to provide an introduction to pharmacoeconomics to students, residents, and healthcare and public health professionals. It is written as a metaphor to creating a painting or other work of art. In that sense, Dr. Kaakeh explains that pharmacoeconomic analysis is not intended to provide an answer in and of itself, but is used to help provide an interpretation of variables and inputs to allow more objective decision-making regarding questions of value and outcomes in healthcare. It is clear that another purpose of the book was to try to simplify terms, principles, and methods that are often complex and confusing to those who are new to this field. The book succeeds in meeting this goal. It is ideally targeted to those who are new to pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research terms and methods. Basic principles are clearly explained, with many examples and points of context. The author clearly states that the intent is not to provide a deep, technical review of pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research. Other texts are more appropriate for this purpose.
The chapters are constructed in a very logical manner, starting with the role of pharmacoeconomics in healthcare resource allocation and decision-making, and then proceeding to define fundamental terms as well as the basic types of pharmacoeconomic analyses. In the second part of the book, the chapters build on the fundamental principles and begin to discuss approaches and some of the nuances of how to conduct and interpret pharmacoeconomic evaluations. While there is a brief discussion of sensitivity analysis, the book could have benefited from examples and greater emphasis on the conduct and interpretation of sensitivity analyses, including some examples and illustrations. Nevertheless, the book does an excellent job covering the principles in a very clear and easy to digest manner.
The information is presented in a very pleasing and clear manner and facilitates joy in learning this material, rather than getting overwhelmed with technical details. This book will be a very good text for introductory courses covering pharmacoeconomic principles, and as a reference for those who are new to the field and are beginning to learn how to apply and interpret these evaluations in healthcare decision-making." - Dr. James Stevenson
James G. Stevenson, PharmD, FASHP, FFIP is Professor of Clinical Pharmacy, Past Department Chair and Associate Dean for Clinical Services at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, and Immediate Past Chief Pharmacy Officer at the University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers. He currently serves as Chief Clinical Officer at Omnicell. He has served as a Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research Fellowship Director and has trained countless students, residents, and fellows throughout his career.
Erin R. Fox, PharmD, BCPS, FASHP
Senior Pharmacy Director, University of Utah
“The Art of Pharmacoeconomics by Dr. Rola Kaakeh is the perfect resource for those new to pharmacoeconomics. What is unique about this book, is the way that Dr. Kaakeh breaks down the topics using easy to understand examples. The topics and chapters are divided into very manageable chunks with helpful tables and summaries. The section on designing, conducting, and evaluating pharmacoeconomics analyses should be of particular interest for pharmacy residents as well as residency program directors. Many projects are initiated without a well-thought-out design strategy. Dr. Kaakeh’s section on “researchers are designers” should be required reading for anyone in a health-system precepting or participating in projects. Dr. Kaakeh’s new book states it’s a “guide to getting started” and truly delivers on that promise.” - Dr. Erin Fox
Erin R. Fox, PharmD, BCPS, FASHP is Senior Pharmacy Director over Drug Information, Pharmacy Informatics, and Support Services at the University of Utah Health Care and Professor (Adjunct), at the Department of Pharmacotherapy, University of Utah College of Pharmacy. She serves as a media resource and advocate for changes to improve the ongoing drug shortage situation and rising drug costs. In December 2015, Dr. Fox testified for the Senate Aging Committee regarding the impact of sudden price increases on health systems. She is recognized as an expert in drug shortages and has received the ISMP Cheers Award and ASHP Award of Excellence in recognition for her work on drug shortages. She has also received the ASHP Award of Excellence for raising awareness about the problem of increasing drug prices and was recently honored with the William A. Zellmer lecture award for her advocacy efforts. She most recently served on the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Committee on the Security of America’s Medical Product Supply Chain.
Jan D. Hirsch, BS Pharm, PhD, FNAP
Founding Dean and Professor of Clinical Pharmacy, University of California, Irvine
“In her book “The Art of Pharmacoeconomics” Dr. Rola Kaakeh begins by providing a succinct overview of the basics of pharmacoeconomic analyses that will be useful to those new to the field. Beyond that however, Dr. Kaakeh tackles an area often overlooked that is of critical importance – the team of people who make the analyses happen. Since researchers make many key decisions while crafting the study design they are inextricably part of the ultimate study results. The thoughts and checklists in the first two chapters of section two (“Designing and Curating the Experience” and “Building the Team”) are not standard fare in pharmacoeconomic textbooks and thus broaden the applicability of the book’s content. Great resource for professionals in need of a primer on pharmacoeconomics, as well as those who are building or managing a team of researchers producing pharmacoeconomic analyses in any environment.” - Dr. Jan D. Hirsch
Dr. Jan Hirsch is Founding Dean of the University of California Irvine School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences where she is also Professor of Clinical Pharmacy. She is a Distinguished Scholar and Fellow of the National Academies of Practice (NAP) in Pharmacy, and Distinguished Fellow of the Get the Medications Right (GTMRx) Institute, and joined UC Irvine in January of 2019. Previously she was Professor of Clinical Pharmacy and Chair of the Division of Clinical Pharmacy at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, at the University of California, San Diego. She was also Executive Director of Partners in Medication Therapy (PMT), an outreach program of the school providing medication therapy management services in the community. She received her B.S. in Pharmacy and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Pharmacy Administration from the University of South Carolina, College of Pharmacy. Prior to returning to academia, she spent 14 years in the pharmaceutical and managed care industries where she was responsible for establishing and managing outcomes research departments for two pharmaceutical companies (Glaxo Group Research in Greenford (UK) and Allergan (US)) and a pharmacy benefit management company (Prescription Solutions (US)). Dr. Hirsch’s research interests are focused in the areas of pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research.
Jack Iskander, Pharm.D, MBA, MHA, BCSCP
Director of Pharmacy, University of Chicago Medical Center, Residency Program Director – PGY2 Health System Pharmacy Leadership
"The Art of Pharmacoeconomics is a very well written text that will guide anyone from a 4th year pharmacy student to a seasoned Director on the basic principles of using pharmaceconomics to interpret data in such a way that it tells a story. This is particularly useful when discussing outcomes with non-clinical executives. I have found that it's not the smartest idea that will get funded, or the one that will help the most people. In healthcare, the ideas that have the best financial returns will get the most attention from the C-suite. Dr. Kaakeh has published a great read for anyone that is wanting to hone their pharmacoeconomic decision making skills, and improve their ability to set up research projects, in order to get more meaningful outcomes." - Dr. Jack Iskander
Cynthia Leung
Professional Master of Policy Administration Candidate, Queen's University, Program Develop Officer, Canada's Drugs and Health Technology Agency
"As a master student in policy administration as well as a pharmacist who is beginning to learn about pharmacoeconomics, I feel this book has made the topic a little less intimidating. The author avoids using too much technical jargons. This has made it easier to digest some of the key concepts in the field. I find it reassuring to have this book by my side as I confront with various questions related to pharmacoeconomics. I also like how it is laid out to help users go through different steps and provide guidance along the way. This book is a great companion to anyone starting to learn about Pharmacoeconomics and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested to learn more about this field." - Cynthia Leung
"The Art of Pharmacoeconomics is a comprehensive, detailed, easy-read for professionals of any background to grasp, enjoy, and learn from. Learning and value is delivered on every page. It encompasses the multi-faceted realms of healthcare, economics, business, strategy, decision-making, cost-saving, and ideas for growth. What I appreciate most about The Art of Pharmacoeconomics is how Dr. Kaakeh makes the book interactive with exercises involving mindful probing, critique of current methods, and reflection on the challenging questions every stakeholder must ask themselves to equip their teams for success. I will recommend this book to my colleagues at Northwestern Medicine & Kellogg School of Management." - Nadia Goldstar
Nadia Goldstar, MPH