Medical Economics and Research Centre

Medical Economics and Research Centre (MERCS) was a research organization and consultancy based in Sheffield, United Kingdom, that specialized in health economics and clinical trial optimization. The centre was widely recognized for its leadership in the European Union-funded PREDICT project, which aimed to improve the participation of elderly patients in clinical trials to ensure better safety and efficacy data for older populations. Additionally, MERCS developed the 'Cost Block Method,' a standardized methodology for measuring and comparing the costs of intensive care units (ICUs) across different healthcare systems. The organization operated in close collaboration with the Royal Hallamshire Hospital and various academic institutions, providing critical data for healthcare policy and management. Although it was a significant contributor to health services research for over a decade, the company was officially dissolved in 2012.