The agency was created by Congress to develop guidelines advising Americans with consistent, cost-effective treatment for a variety of common diseases and conditions.

Like many companies, Pepsico has begun to monitor big-ticket cases to assure the most cost-effective treatment.

Even with their demise, many hospitals, clinics and endocrinology practices say they are providing cost-effective, quality treatment.

And in an era when squeezing down health care costs has become paramount, how can society prevent suicide from becoming the cost-effective treatment of choice?

Without this data, how could a doctor be expected to routinely provide the most cost-effective treatment?

If we could discover cures, preventive measures and cost-effective treatments for any of these diseases, the long-term savings would be enormous.

Another problem: doctors may form loyalties to companies like Tokos and so overlook more innovative or cost-effective treatments.

In the more advanced societies pressure for cost-effective treatments, supported by evidence-based results, has come from both insurance companies and government agencies.

Research suggests that some cost-effective treatments are not used as often as they should be, while overutilization occurs with other health care services.

Organ transplantation is now the most cost-effective treatment for end-stage renal failure.