COST–EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS OF THE MONTELUKAST APPLICATION IN CHILDREN WITH BRONCHIAL ASTHM IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

The aim of this study was to estimate the montelukast cost-effectiveness in children with mild and moderate persistent asthma in Belarus. Patients and methods. A one-year decision tree model of asthma for a hypothetical cohort of 100 children with asthma and a lack of basic therapy or taking either montelukast or inhaled glucocorticosteroids has been constructed on the basis of the results of randomized clinical studies and local data. Results. In children older than 6 years of age the CER of fluticasone application was $1.45 per «day without asthma attacks, exacerbations, use of short-acting β2-receptor agonists» as compared to the montelukast CER — $2.62. In 2–6-year-old children the CER of montelukast application was $4.1, the budesonide inhalation suspension CER — $5.6, the CER of the lack of basis therapy — $6.9. Conclusion. The use of oral montelukast is considered to be cost-effective in 2–6-year-old children with mild and moderate persistent asthma as compared to the budesonide inhalation suspension or lack of basis therapy in the Republic of Belarus. Inhaled glucocorticosteroids is the priority medicine in children older than 6 years of age who are able to master the inhalation technique.