Table 1 Attributes and levels used in the DCE

Increasing survival after treatment

The average number of years increased to the patients' life by taking the drug

No effect on the patients' longevity (remaining in the previous lifetime)

Low = 1 year

Average = 5 year

High = 10 year

Promoting quality of life after treatment

Improved health-related quality of life due to consuming a drug. According to the World Health Organization, four dimensions of health are physical, mental, social, and spiritual. Therefore, in this study, we only considered the health-related quality of life

No effect on QoL of patients (previous QoL)

Low improvement in QoL (15%)

Average improvement in QoL (30%)

High improvement in QoL (50%)

Alternative treatment

Other treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy, and other drugs with similar mechanisms of action

Yes

No

Age group of the target population

The age range of those who consume the drug

Less than 18 years of age

18 to 60y

Over 60y

All age groups

Cost burden for the government

The annual budget that the government allocates as subsidy for medicines

Low = 10 million IRR (240 US dollar)

Average = 100 million IRR (2380 US dollar)

High = 500 million IRR (11,900 US dollar)

Disease severity

Patients' longevity and QoL before the onset of drug use

Mild = high longevity (15 years), moderate QoL [60%]

Moderate = high longevity (15 years), low QoL (30%)

Severe = low longevity (up to 3 month) low QoL (30%)

Drug manufacturer country

The final product is produced in Iran or is imported

Domestic production

Imported