PHARMACOECONOMlcr
Loog-tenn economic benefits with cIozapine
Use of the antipsychotic agent, c1ozapine, which can effectively treat up to 60% of patients with refractory schizophrenia, may have long-term economic benefits, report Adis editors in PharmacoEconomics [Aug 93}.
Although the acquisition cost of c10zapine is high in comparison with that of standard antipsychotics, preliminary cost-effectiveness estimates in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia suggest that the clinical benefits of c10zapine (improved psychopathology, social functioning and QOL) may confer medium- to long-term economic benefits, primarily by reducing the need for psychiatric and general hospital services. This effect is most likely to be seen during long-term (~ 2 years) maintenance therapy with c1ozapine.
USanalyses US cost analysis data indicate that, compared
with standard antipsychotics, clozapine might save between $US934 and $7505 (1987 dollars) per patient over the first 2 years of treatment.
Savings in hospital costs are, however, likely to be offset initially by increased reliance on outpatient services, and clozapine may therefore confer additional economic costs during the first year or so of treatment. In the longer term, however, the initial cost investment may be recouped in the form of savings to psychiatric institutions and insurers.
UKanalyses Cost-effectiveness data on institutionalised
patients with chronic treatment-resistant schizophrenia in the UK, indicate estimated net savings of £9l1patient (1989/1990 £) annually and £1333 per lifetime from the use of c1ozapine. Sensitivity analysis indicates that c10zapine would be cost-effective or cost neutral in most circumstances. Fitton A. Benfield P. Clozapine: an appraisal of its pharmacoeconomic benefits in the treatment of schizophrenia. PharmacoEconomics 4: 131-156. Aug 1993
ISSN 0156-2703l93l0828-OO71$1.ocf' Adls International LId
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INPHARMA'" 28 Aug 1993
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