Clinical trial data have shown that the antihypercalcaemic agents pamidronic acid and clodronic acid can reduce the overall incidence of skeletal complications in women with metastatic breast cancer. In addition, both agents delay the onset of skeletal complications, promote bone healing, and have a positive effect on bone pain. Now, 3 economic analyses have found that pamidronic acid and clodronic acid provide substantial benefits at a reasonable cost to the healthcare systems in Italy and Poland. The results of these trials were presented at the ISPOR*3rd Annual European Conference, held in Antwerp, Belgium, in November 2000.