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Economic evaluation of BDP/formoterol fixed vs two single inhalers in asthma treatment
Author(s) -
Brüggenjürgen B.,
Ezzat N.,
Kardos P.,
Buhl R.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2009.02317.x
Subject(s) - medicine , formoterol , fixed dose combination , asthma , inhaler , cost analysis , cost effectiveness analysis , economic analysis , cost effectiveness , budesonide , mathematics , operations research , risk analysis (engineering) , economics , agricultural economics
To cite this article: Brüggenjürgen B, Ezzat N, Kardos P, Buhl R. Economic evaluation of BDP/formoterol fixed vs two single inhalers in asthma treatment. Allergy 2010; 65 : 1108–1115. Abstract Background: Asthma treatment costs are substantial, the largest proportion being incurred by medications. Combination therapy with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and long‐acting beta 2 ‐agonists (LABA) is recommended in patients not adequately controlled by ICS alone. Aim of this study was to compare costs and health outcomes of a fixed ICS–LABA combination of beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) and formoterol fumarate (FF) vs the same drugs delivered via separate inhalers in Germany. Methods: A cost‐minimization analysis, a cost‐effectiveness analysis, as well as a threshold analysis were undertaken. Efficacy results were obtained from a recent clinical trial. Cost inputs include medical costs, physician costs, and hospital admission costs. Medical costs, health outcomes, and treatment costs were also varied to assess their impact on results. Results: Beclomethasone dipropionate/FF fixed combination was less costly compared to BDP + FF delivered as separate inhalers, costs totaling €525 and €637, respectively, over a 24‐week treatment period. The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio was €−9.77 per additional day free of asthma symptoms. Equal cost‐effectiveness ratios would still be obtained at a price of the fixed combination increased by 3.4‐fold. Conclusion: A cost‐minimization analysis as well as a cost‐effectiveness analysis for Germany based on different product price calculations show that BDP/FF fixed combination is superior to BDP + FF delivered via separate inhalers.