The iDSI Reference Case is a principle-based approach to guide the planning, conduct and reporting of economic evaluations. It provides decision makers with relevant and reliable ways to determine the likely implications of implementing a treatment or health service in specific contexts. Its primary focus is on meeting the informational needs of decision makers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It builds on the methods and approaches of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the UK, the Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program (HITAP) in Thailand and the World Health Organization, the iDSI Reference Case helps countries to calculate value for money and to consistently spend their health budgets effectively.

Some of the biggest decisions that must be made within health systems are on how to spend the health budget. These unavoidable decisions will have large consequences. Understanding the expected clinical effect of differing health treatments and services, and how much it will cost to achieve that clinical effect, is called determining the value. When people know the value of the different options, decision making becomes easier and money can be spent more effectively on health.

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The iDSI reference case is an aid to thinking. It provides a systematic way in which to conduct and report on economic evaluations, but also the flexibility to tailor the methodology to specific needs and setting.

The principles of the iDSI reference case describe how to undertake economic evaluations that are fit for purpose, but don’t specify particular metrics or parameter values. The methodological specifications are a non-exhaustive set of options that enable the economic evaluation to adhere to the principles. These principles each contain a suggested implementation methodology and guidance for reporting.

The IDSI Reference Case initiative has provided a foundation for a body of economic evaluation methods research that are of particular importance for policymaking. Please see below papers which discuss the iDSI Reference case and click the read more buttons above to see publications related to individual principles.

Research on thresholds is related to the iDSI Reference case and can be found here

Explore the practical application of the iDSI Reference Case in different settings, including a summary of the case studies highlighted below.