Cost-effective use of investigations in developing countries

Abstract In recent years, the cost of health care around the world has risen at a rate that is deemed unsustainable. It has been estimated that 20% of this could be saved by rationalising laboratory investigations and reducing inappropriate requisitioning of the investigations. There are several reasons for the excessive, redundant, inappropriate or unnecessary investigations and procedures, which in some instances are unethical practices. The impact in financial terms is more in developing countries such as India with