[Loss is gain? Discarding TNF-α inhibitors]

Abstract

According to a recent study, stopping the prescription of TNF inhibitors is a cost-effective decision at various willingness-to-accept thresholds. Discontinuing the prescription of the drug may lead to a minor loss in health - expressed in quality adjusted life years - but results in significant societal savings. In our commentary, we stress that willingness-to-pay thresholds should not be completely replaced by the willingness-to-accept threshold, also when it concerns health losses. Loss aversion can be viewed as either a relevant societal phenomenon or an irrationality that should not guide decision making.