[Economics of health systems in developing countries: what is the contribution of work published in french?]

Health economics is poorly developed in the francophone community. There is little published work addressing developing francophone countries, and it is largely limited to the sub-Saharan Africa. Few specialist research workers from developing countries contribute. Universities only propose global analyses, and other groups involved (expert consultants) only conduct narrow studies, targeted at immediate action or decision making. The article analyses some of the reasons from this underdevelopment, and overviews what has been produced over the last 15 years. Three areas appear to be preferred: the analysis of costs and financing of vertical programs (vaccination programs in particular), the issue of supply and the price of essential drugs, and the effects and consequences of attempts to recover costs. Research work is mainly conducted by experts and consultants working for the financing bodies or international organizations. Their ideas, methods and conclusions often reflect the interests and working methods of those sponsoring the study. In many cases, pragmatism and short-termism dominate over intellectual and ethical rigor. A major issue is that of the roles of the State and the marker in the organization and financing of health systems and policies. Francophone economist differ from others on this issue, although, since the 1993 World Bank report entitled "Investing in Health" the opposition is less direct, and the "specificities" in the health sector, including those concerning economics, are now universally recognized.