Costs to Achieve Undetectable HIV RNA with Darunavir-Containing Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in Highly Pretreated Patients

Background: Very few studies have evaluated the cost of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) per successful treatment in HIV-infected patients. Objectives: To evaluate the cost of achieving undetectable plasma HIV-RNA levels in highly treatment-experienced, HIV-1-infected adults receiving darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/r 600 mg/100mg twice a day) or control protease inhibitor (PI)-based HAART. Methods: The mean annual per-patient cost of DRV/r and control PI-based HAART was determined from the proportional use of antiretroviral agents in the DRV/r and control PI arms of the pooled POWER 1 and 2 trials, applying drug acquisition costs for 13 healthcare settings. The mean annual cost per patient of achieving undetectable plasma HIV-RNA levels (