Cost-minimization analysis of once-weekly versus thrice-weekly epoetin alfa for chemotherapy-related anemia

For individuals with chemotherapy-related anemia, the clinical effectiveness of epoetin alfa (EPO) dosed once weekly ([QW], 40,000 units per dose) has been demonstrated to be indistinguishable from that observed with thrice-weekly dosing ([TIW], 10,000 units per dose). Whether the advantage of less-...

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Veröffentlicht in:Journal of managed care pharmacy 2004-11, Vol.10 (6), p.531-537
Hauptverfasser: Crémieux, Pierre Y, Fastenau, John M, Kosicki, George, Piech, Catherine T, Fendrick, A Mark
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Sprache:eng
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Zusammenfassung:For individuals with chemotherapy-related anemia, the clinical effectiveness of epoetin alfa (EPO) dosed once weekly ([QW], 40,000 units per dose) has been demonstrated to be indistinguishable from that observed with thrice-weekly dosing ([TIW], 10,000 units per dose). Whether the advantage of less-frequent administration justifies the higher EPO dosage used in the weekly regimen in terms of overall cost of care is unknown. To conduct a cost-minimization analysis comparing QW and TIW EPO dosing from a societal perspective. Direct and indirect medical cost data were calculated for a 16-week period for 2 large, prospective, multicenter, community-based studies. Costs measured included EPO, transfusions, laboratory tests, office visits, and opportunity cost of patient time. The average total costs in 2002 (first half) dollars were nearly equivalent across the 2 groups (QW: 9,204 dollars; 95% confidence interval [CI], 9,057 dollars-9,350 dollars. TIW: 9,265 dollars; 95% CI, 9,083 dollars-9,447 dollars. P=0.60). QW incurred mean drug acquisition costs that were 23% higher (QW: 6,725 dollars; 95% CI, 6,611 dollars-6,838 dollars. TIW: 5,474 dollars; 95% CI, 5,350 dollars-5,598 dollars. P
ISSN:1083-4087
1944-706X
DOI:10.18553/jmcp.2004.10.6.531