The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of economic evaluation of personalized medicine, focusing particularly on the use of cost-effectiveness analysis and other methods of valuation. We draw on insights from the literature and our work at the University of California, San Francisco Center for Translational and Policy Research on Personalized Medicine (TRANSPERS). We begin with a discussion of why personalized medicine is of interest and challenges to adoption, whether personalized medicine is different enough to require different evaluation approaches, and what is known about the economics of personalized medicine. We then discuss insights from TRANSPERS research and six areas for future research: Develop and Apply Multiple Methods of Assessing Value Identify Key Factors in Determining the Value of Personalized Medicine Use Real World Perspectives in Economic Analyses Consider Patient Heterogeneity and Diverse Populations in Economic Analyses Prepare for Upcoming Challenges of Assessing Value of Emerging Technologies Incorporate Behavioral Economics into Value Assessments.
Keywords: costs and cost-effectiveness analysis; economics; health policy; individualized medicine; personalized medicine; preferences measurement.