Surrogate endpoints in cost-effectiveness analysis for use in medical technology assessment

Cost-effectiveness analysis of medical technologies is essential for making rational decisions in healthcare, which in turn contribute to more efficient allocation of limited budgetary resources and improved quality of care. Clinical economic analysis assesses the cost-benefit ratio of medical technologies, which helps determine their feasibility, taking into account the impact on patient health, quality of services and economic costs. One of the methods for accelerated cost-effectiveness assessment is the use of surrogate endpoints (SEP), which allows for faster and safer assessment of new medical technologies. Their use is important for decision makers in healthcare, especially in conditions of a lack of data on the long-term effectiveness of new technologies. Their use should be justified, with a confirmed statistical relationship between surrogate and clinical endpoints. A recent report summarizing current data on the use of SEP in cost-effectiveness analysis of medical technologies served as the basis for this article.