KCE Glossary

The KCE uses QALYs in economic evaluations, namely in cost-effectiveness analyses. This makes it possible to assess whether a particular medical intervention (e.g. a medicine, a treatment or a screening programme) offers good value for money, expressed in terms of cost per QALY gained.

A QALY combines both the quantity and quality of life in a single measure. One QALY represents one year of life in perfect health. If the state of health is less good, the number of years of life is weighted using a so-called “utility score” or health-related quality of life, which ranges from 0 (death) to 1 (perfect health).

The KCE recognises the ethical limitations and sensitivities of using QALYs, especially for specific target groups (such as the elderly or people with disabilities), and considers it a tool, not the only decision-making criterion.