This book presents an international perspective on health care technology and its development providing fully up-to-date coverage of this most rapidly developing area. This is the only comprehensive review of the subject available. Thoroughly referenced it deals with all types of health technologies - drugs, devices, and procedures and combines cost and other socio-economic analyses with information on diffusion, dissemination and use, as well as efficacy and safety testing. For all those faced with decisions concerning health care technology, this is an unrivalled guide.