POSTER PRESENTATIONS

Poster Presentation Hours
Poster Viewing: 13:00 - 19:30 Monday, 6 March 2006
 8:00 - 16:00 Tuesday, 7 March 2006
Author Presentation Hour: 17:30-18:30 Monday, 6 March 2006

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

PCV1

COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS OF CLOPIDOGREL IN ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROMES IN SOUTH KOREA BASED ON CURE TRIAL
Ko S1, Park D2, Yang BM2, 1Health Insurance Review Agency, Seoul, South Korea, 2Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea

OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to evaluate the long-term cost-effectiveness of clopidogrel in addition to aspirin in Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS) in South Korea. METHODS: A cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted from the societal perspective and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) were estimated using a long-term Markov process model, in which transition probabilities were estimated through the survival analysis using the Korean health insurance claims and the cause of death registers data. Treatment effects were based on the ‘Clopidogrel in Unstable Angina to prevent Recurrent ischemic Events (CURE)’ trial and it was assumed that patients were treated for one year. The costs included direct and indirect costs as well as cost in added years of life and were estimated from the Korean health insurance claims and the National Health and Nutrition Survey. Both costs and effectiveness were discounted by 5 percent. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were conducted on the discounting rate and on the baseline population structure to test the robustness of the results. RESULTS: In the base case scenario, the model predicted a longer survival in the ‘clopidogrel in addition to aspirin’ arm (7.705 years vs. 7.439 years incremental LYG=0.266 years) and higher costs in the ‘aspirin alone’ arm (6,944,249 vs. 6,876,536 Korean Won; incremental costs=67,713 Kwon)(US $1 = approximately 1000 Korean won). The cost was lower while the effectiveness was better; therefore, the ‘clopidogrel in addition to aspirin’ arm was dominant over ‘aspirin alone’ arm in cost-effectiveness. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses showed that ‘clopidogrel in addition to aspirin’ remained cost effective regardless of the population structure and discount rate change. CONLUSIONS: The combination clopidogrel with aspirin is cost effective in patients with ACS in South Korea compared to aspirin alone.
 

 

PCV2

COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS OF SINGLE VS. DUAL CHAMBER PACEMAKERS IN THE TREATMENT OF BRADYCARDIA IN SPAIN.
Mercader-Cuesta J1, Rodriguez JM2, Serrano-Contreras D2, Caro JJ3, Ward AJ3, Malik F4, 1Hospital de Granollers, Granollers, Barcelona, Spain, 2Medtronic Iberica, Madrid, Spain, 3Caro Research Institute, Concord, MA, USA, 4Medtronic S.A, Tolochenaz, Morges, Switzerland

Implantation of pacemakers has become an established approach to bradycardia due to sinoatrial node disease or atrioventricular block and is becoming a more common procedure. Two different types of pacemakers are available to treat bradycardia, single and dual chamber pacemakers. Despite dual chamber pacemaker have shown to have a better cardiac rhythm control, it use is nowadays limited in Spain. OBJECTIVE: To adapt an existing economic model of managing bradycardia with a dual vs. single chamber ventricular pacemaker to estimate the long-term economic and health impact of these devices in Spain. METHODS: A discrete event simulation model was adapted for the Spanish setting. A cohort of 1,000 patients was created, characteristics were assigned to each individual and then each patient is cloned. One clone received a dual chamber device, the other a single chamber one. During the simulation, each patient may develop different clinical events, complications and adverse events. Clinical data were retrieved from published trials, and resource use and costs were obtained from the Hospital of Granollers. Time horizon contemplated was 5 years. The perspective of the analysis was the NHS, so only direct costs were included. Costs and benefits were discounted at 3%. RESULTS: Based on 100 replications, the mean costs per patient in the dual chamber arm exceeded in Û331 respect single chamber patients. The dual chamber patients were predicted to increase the discounted QALY by a mean 0.09 years. The mean cost-effectiveness ratio was Û3,678 per discounted QALY. Sensitivity analyses showed the results to be consistent over broad ranges. CONLUSIONS: The use of dual chamber devices in patients with bradycardia due to sinoatrial node disease or atrioventricular block, is an efficient technology compared to single chamber, in the Spanish setting, with a C/E rate below the accepted Spanish threshold (30,000/QALY).
 

 

PCV3

COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF EPLERENONE IN PATIENTS WITH HEART FAILURE AFTER ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION WHO WERE TAKING BOTH ACE INHIBITORS AND β-BLOCKERS: RESULTS FROM EPHESUS
Zhang Z, Weintraub WS, Christiana Care Health System, Newark, DE, USA

OBJECTIVE: The EPHESUS trial showed that the use of eplerenone in the setting of heart failure after acute myocardial infarction is highly cost-effective. This analysis considers the cost-effectiveness of eplerenone in patient population who were taking both ACE inhibitors/ARBs and blockers at baseline from EPHESUS. METHODS: A total of 6632 patients were randomized to eplerenone 25-50 mg/day (n=3319) or placebo (n=3313) used concurrently with standard therapy and followed for up to 2.5 years. Of these, 4359 (66%) patients (eplerenone: 2162; placebo: 2197) were taking both ACE inhibitors/ARBs and ?-blockers at baseline. Trial wide efficacy and resource utilization were used in the analysis. Resources included hospitalizations, outpatient services, and medications. Eplerenone was priced at $3.6/day. The incremental cost-effectiveness of eplerenone in cost per life-year gained (LYG) and cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALYs) gained was estimated using data from the Framingham, Saskatchewan and Worcester studies to project long-term survival. Both costs and effectiveness were discounted at 3%. RESULTS: As in the overall study population, the costs tended to be similarly higher in the eplerenone arm for patients who were taking both ACE inhibitors and ?-blockers (cost difference=$ 1697). The number of LYG with eplerenone was 0.1637 based on Framingham, 0.0970 with Saskatchewan, and 0.2121 with Worcester data. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICERs) was $10,372 per LYG with Framingham (99% under $50,000 per LYG), $17,493 with Saskatchewan, and $8,003 with Worcester. The ICERs are systematically higher when calculated in cost per QALY gained ($15,021, $25,283, and $11,499 per QALY gained, respectively), as the utilities were below 1 with no difference between the treatment arms. CONLUSIONS: As was for the entire EPHESUS population, aldosterone blockade with eplerenone is effective in reducing mortality and, is cost-effective in increasing years of life for EPHESUS subgroup patients who were taking both ACE inhibitors and ?-blockers.
 

 

PCV4

A HEALTH ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF ASPIRIN IN THE PRIMARY PREVENTION OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
Lamotte M1, Annemans L2, Evers T3, Kubin M3, Hu S4, 1HEDM - IMS Health, Brussels, Belgium, 2IMS Health and Ghent University, Brussels, Belgium, 3Bayer Healthcare AG, Wuppertal, Germany, 4Fudan University (former Shanghai Medical University), Shanghai, China

OBJECTIVE: Low-dose Aspirin is standard care in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In primary prevention the use of low-dose Aspirin is not yet fully established although meta-analyses and US and European guidelines support its use in persons at increased CVD risk. This study assessed the health-economic consequences of the use of low-dose Aspirin in the primary prevention of CVD in China. METHODS: Based on results benefits and harms) reported in the meta-analyses of Hayden and Eidelman, a Markov model was developed to predict the cost-effectiveness of low-dose Aspirin in the primary prevention of CVD. The model consists of 5 health states: no history of CVD, history of stroke, history of myocardial infarction, history of CVD and death. A 10-year time horizon and 1-year cycles were used. Secondary prevention data were derived from the Aspirin group of the CAPRIE-study (1996). Direct costs (years 2000-2003) from the payer’s perspective were used (sources: Chinese Ministry of health for acute and a Delphi-panel for follow-up costs). Effects were expressed in Life-Years (LY) and Quality-Adjusted-Life-Years QALY). Utility data (TTO) were obtained from published data. Discounting was applied (3% on effects and costs). One-way and Probabilistic sensitivity analysis was applied. RESULTS: For subjects with a 10-year risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) of 15% the model results in a 10-year cost (±StErr) of 11,233±1,995Yuan (1,060±188Û) without and 10,304±1,537Yuan (972±145Û) with Aspirin. Low-dose Aspirin treatment saves on average 929±781Yuan (88±74Û) per patient. LY were respectively 8.33±0.01 and 8.36±0.02, QALY 8.20±0.02 and 8.24±0.03. Monte Carlo analysis showed Aspirin-dominance in 87.1% of cases. Savings start in the fourth year. CONLUSIONS: Administering low-dose Aspirin to individuals with a ten-year risk of CHD of 15% and more is life and cost-saving from the Chinese health care payer’s perspective. Sensitivity analyses (CHD risk and bleedings) proved the results robustness.
 

 

PCV5

FACTORS AFFECTING COST OF STATIN THERAPY IN HONG KONG
Cheng C1, Chan JC2, Tomlinson B2, Woo KS3, You JH4, 1Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, 2The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China, 3The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, 4The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T, Hong Kong

OBJECTIVE: Aim of present study was to identify factors affecting direct medical cost associated with statin therapy in Chinese patients at high risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). METHODS: Chinese patients at high risk of CHD who had been initiated on statin monotherapy for 12 months were recruited at the outpatient clinics of a public teaching hospital in Hong Kong. Patients’ demographic information and clinical characteristics were collected at the entry of study. Patient adherence was assessed by the Medication Event Monitoring System over six months. The target types of healthcare resources included clinic visits, statin medications, laboratory tests on lipids and management of CHD events if any. Total direct medical cost per member per month (cPMPM) for each patient was calculated. A multiple regression model was used to identify demographic, clinical factors and patient adherence with significant association to cPMPM. RESULTS: 83 patients were included in the analysis. The mean age was 60 +/- 13 years and 51 (61%) of the patients were male. The median cPMPM of all 83 patients was USD43 (25th–75th percentile = USD38-45). Association between adherence levels and cPMPM was determined by backward multiple regression, controlling for other covariates. Nine factors identified by the model were male gender, monthly household income, primary education (< 6 years), dosetime adherence to statins, history of diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, coronary atherosclerosis, coronary artery bypass graft and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Male gender, history of diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure and coronary atherosclerosis were significantly associated with higher consumption of healthcare resources. CONLUSIONS: Male gender, history of diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure and coronary atherosclerosis were significantly associated with higher consumption of healthcare resources. Adherence to statin therapy did not appear to affect the cost of treatment.
 

 

PCV6

TREND ANALYSIS OF PRICE AND UTILIZATION OF STATIN DRUGS IN U.S. MEDICAID PROGRAMS
Jing Y, Chen Y, Kelton CM, Guo JJ, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA

OBJECTIVE: Statins are used to treat abnormal blood lipids for reducing cholesterol and are prescribed for the elderly and other high-risk populations. The objective of this study is to compare drug price, cost, utilization, and market-share trends across statin drugs in order to shed light on the effects of both interbrand and generic competition in the market for statins. METHODS: Using data from First DataBank, we calculated the monthly average wholesale price (AWP) per daily dose for each branded and generic statin drug over the period 1989-2002. We also analyzed national Medicaid pharmacy data to construct quarterly prescription numbers (and market shares by dividing by total number of statin prescriptions) and per-prescription reimbursement figures for each drug from 1991-2004. RESULTS: Total expenditure by U.S. Medicaid programs on statin drugs increased from $41.8 million in 1991 to $1.37 billion in 2003. The top three drugs reimbursed by Medicaid in 2004 included Lipitor, Zocor, and Pravachol, with market shares of 49.0%, 29.1%, and 9.7%, respectively. Whereas Zocor, Mevacor, and Pravachol have a relatively high AWP per daily dose (between $4.00 and $6.50 since 1993), the AWP for Lipitor is much lower. A rapid increase of Lipitor prescriptions was observed from 2290 in 1st quarter 1997 to two million in 2004. The average reimbursement per statin prescription in Medicaid increased from $68.70 in 1991 to $101.90 in 2004. When the generic lovastatin was introduced at two-thirds the branded AWP, there is no drop in the price of Mevacor, though Medicaid does face a lower cost per Mevacor prescription. CONLUSIONS: Our results give little indication of effective interbrand competition in the statin market. Neither price nor utilization of other branded medications falls in response to new branded entry. Use of a branded drug does fall following generic entry.
 

 

PCV8

ANALYSES FOR PRICE AND UTILIZATION OF CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS IN US MEDICAID PROGRAMS
Chen Y, Guo JJ, Jing YH, Wigle P, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA

OBJECTIVE: To analyze price and utilization trends for Calcium Channel Blockers (CCB) drugs, and to compare the price difference between brand-name and generic CCB drugs over a specific time interval. METHODS: CCB drugs with an indication for hypertension were selected for this study. The First DataBank® drug files and National Medicaid Pharmacy data were used to calculate the monthly Average Wholesaler Prices (AWP), quarterly prescription use and reimbursement. Descriptive time-series trend analyses were performed to assess price trends and drug utilization patterns. The market shares were calculated as the proportion of total number of prescriptions. RESULTS: The average AWP per daily dose for CCBs included three tiers: the highest with $2 or more per day for Cardizem®, Plendil®, and Procardia XL®, the lowest with $1 or less per day for Isoptin® and verapamil, and middle for Norvasc ® and Cardene®. The generic dilatizem AWP decreased from $0.84 in 1996 to $0.34 in 2004, while its brand Cardizem AWP increased over time. Use of branded drugs (Calan®, Procardia, and Cardizem) decreased while use of generics (verapamil, nifedipine, and diltiazem) increased. The utilization of the dihydropyridine CCBs (e.g. Norvasc®, Procardia®) was about two-fold that of the non-dihydropyridine CCBs in 2004. Total expenditure for brand name drugs increased from $28.87 million per quarter in 1991 to $1.15 billion per quarter in 2004. The market-share of Procardia ® decreased sharply from 64.26% in 1991 to 3.9% in 2001, while Norvasc® increased from 5.78% in 1993 to 73.98 % in 2004. CONLUSIONS: The generic AWP decreased due to competition, but there was little impact on its brand-name AWP. Increased use of Norvasc® might be associated with its safety profile. Decreased use of brand-name CCBs might be due to Medicaid policy of generic drug use.
 

 

PCV9

DRUG PRICE AND UTILIZATION OF BETA BLOCKERS IN US MEDICAID PROGRAMS
Jing Y, Chen Y, Wigle P, Guo JJ, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA

OBJECTIVE: Beta-blockers (BB) were the fifth most widely prescribed class of medications in 2004. The objective of this study was to analyze the drug price trends of brand-name and generic beta blockers, and to assess drug utilization and market-share competition in US Medicaid Programs. METHODS: The monthly average wholesale price (AWP) per daily dose for each antihypertensive beta-blocker available between 1986 and 2002 was evaluated using data extracted from First DataBank. National Medicaid pharmacy data files were also analyzed to construct the quarterly prescription numbers and per-prescription reimbursement figures for each drug in the time frame of 1990 through 2004. The market- share of beta-blockers was calculated based on numbers of prescriptions. RESULTS: Since 1993, the average AWP for brand-name drugs increased over time, while generic drug prices decreased or changed slightly. The only exception was propranolol. Reimbursement cost per prescription showed a similar pattern. The expenditure for BBs in US Medicaid programs in 2003 was $206 million (114.8 million for brand-name drugs, 91.6 million for generics). While the market share of brand-name BB prescriptions dropped from 63.1% in 1991 to 25.5 % in 2003, Toprol prescriptions has increased sharply to 870,037 in 2nd quarter 2004 since entry to the market in early 1992. The prescriptions for Tenormin and Lopressor decreased over time due to availability of generic products. The prescriptions of atenolol and metoprolol increased sharply after they were introduced into the market. CONLUSIONS: Large increases in BB expenditures paralleled the increased number of prescriptions. The increased use of BB might be due to the blood pressure benefit for diabetic patients and mortality benefit for post-MI patients with heart failure. The market share competition between brand-name and generic drugs was observed in U.S. Medicaid programs.
 

 

PCV10

PHYSICAL INACTIVITY IS ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED HEALTHCARE USE AND EXPENDITURES IN INDIVIDUALS WITH HYPERTENSION
Iyer R1, Modi A2, 1University of Appalachia College of Pharmacy, Grundy, VA, USA, 2Purdue University, Indianapolis, IN, USA

The importance of physical activity in reducing morbidity and mortality is well established, but the effect of physical inactivity on direct medical costs is less clear. OBJECTIVE: To examine the health care use and health care expenditure associated with physical inactivity in hypertensive patients. An additional objective was to compare differences in the perceived physical health and perceived mental health in these patients. METHODS: Crosssectional analysis of the 2001 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey that included US civilian men and non-pregnant women aged 15 and older who were not in institutions in 2001. Patients with hypertension were identified by ICD-9-CM code of 401.00. The outcome measures were health care use health care expenditure. We used analysis of covariance to determine differences in health care use and expenditures, adjusting for age, sex, race, marital status, and income status. RESULTS: After adjusting for covariates the expenditures for prescription medications were higher in physically inactive individuals than in physically active individuals with hypertension ($ 736 vs. $621, p = 0.0003). There were no statistically significant differences in other expenditure categories. The total direct cost were significantly different for hypertensive patients who were physically active and those who were not. ($806.80 vs $ 687.04, P = 0.006). Of the individuals with hypertension, those who were physically active reported being in good to excellent health compared to their counterparts who were physically inactive. (56 vs. 39%, P = 0.009). Similarly, physically inactive hypertensive patients reported poor mental health (31 vs. 13%, P = 0.002) than physically active hypertensive patients. CONLUSIONS: The mean net annual benefit of physical activity in hypertensive patients was $ 120 per person in 2003 dollars. Our results suggest that increasing participation in regular moderate physical activity among these patients could reduce the annual national health care spending by a significant amount.
 

 

PCV11

STATINS UTILIZATION FOR SECONDARY PREVENTION IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION IN HONG KONG
Lee VWY1, Chan WK2, Lee BS3, Tomlinson B4, Chong AC5, Wong JC3, Lee KK1, 1The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, China, 2Department of Medicine & Geriatrics, United Christian Hospital, Kwun Tong, China, 3Department of Pharmacy, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China, 4Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China, 5United Christian Hospital, Kwun Tong, China

The use of statin therapy for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease is highly efficacious and cost-effective in high-risk patients. OBJECTIVE: The current study was to investigate the local utilization pattern of statin for secondary prevention in patients with history of myocardial infarction (MI) and the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal attainment. METHODS: Patients who had admitted to the United Christian Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital due to acute MI between September 1, 2001 to December 31, 2001 were recruited. Retrospective chart review was conducted for a period of 2 years, starting from the date of hospital admission. Patients’ demographics, baseline and follow-up cholesterol laboratory values and statins treatment data were collected. RESULTS: A total of 292 patients (209 males; mean age 65.2 ± 12.7 years; mean baseline LDL-C 3.26±1.09 mmol/L) were included. Statins were prescribed in 66% patients and 1% were prescribed gemfibrozil. Among those receiving statins, simvastatin was the most commonly prescribed statin and it was utilized in 47% of patients. Low-dose statin (simvastatin 10 mg or lower potency) was given in 45% of patients as initial regimen. At the end of 2-year study period, 42% of them were on low-dose statin therapy. LDL-C goal of <2.6 mmol/L was reached in 52% of patients at the end of 2-year study period; 20% of them were not at goal. The mean final LDL-C was 2.27± 0.65 mmol/L. The LDL-C levels at the end of study period were not documented in 28% patients. Of the 292 patients, recurrent MI and stroke occurred in 13% and 5% respectively. Adverse effects associated with statin therapy were found in 3% of patients. CONLUSIONS: Overall lipid-lowering management was encouraging but there is room for improvement. Routine cholesterol laboratory measurements dosage titration of statin should be made according to individual LDLC level.
 

 

PCV12

THE COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF CRYOPLASTY IN THE TREATMENT OF FEMOROPOPLITEAL ARTERIAL DISEASE
Audi S, Coles T, Boston Scientific Ltd, St. Albans, United Kingdom

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the treatment cost and cost-effectiveness of cryoplasty, a minimally invasive treatment for peripheral arterial disease (PAD), compared to angioplasty treatment in patients with Femoropopliteal Arterial Disease in the UK at 12-months. METHODS: A decision-analytic model combining clinical data from several sources on patency rates with UK unit costs for medical resources. RESULTS: The total average per patient hospital cost at 12-months were £3,433 for cryoplasty and £3,922 for angioplasty. The total cost included initial treatment cost, stenting cost post-procedure, and reintervention costs. Although the initial treatment and stenting costs with cryoplasty were higher (£2,835 vs. £2,233 for angioplasty), these costs were outweighed by the savings from lower reintervention costs of cryoplasty (£599 vs. £1,690 for angioplasty). Because cryoplasty offered improved clinical patency at a lower cost, it was a dominant treatment. CONLUSIONS: Endovascular treatment options for patients with Femoropopliteal Arterial Disease offer a clinical alternative to surgery and, in severe cases, amputation. Cyroplasty may offer an improvement in clinical patency compared to angioplasty, and may do so at a lower cost. As these results depend on local treatment practices, centers must apply their own data to understand local impact.
 

 

PCV13

COST-SAVING OF PHARMACIST INTERVENTION ON WARFARIN THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH MECHANICAL HEART VALVES.
Rojsutee S, Musikachai P, Pongchareonsuk P, Chaikledkaew U, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cost-saving of pharmacist intervention on warfarin therapy in Thai patients with mechanical heart valves from provider perspective. METHODS: Decision tree model was used to estimate the cost saving of pharmacist intervention on warfarin therapy. Only direct cost was used in the simulations. Estimates were based on the study evaluating the impact of education and counseling by clinical pharmacists on anticoagulation therapy in patients with mechanical heart valves of Siriraj Hospital cost data were obtained from Siriraj Hospital. RESULTS: The mode estimates that pharmacist intervention can save cost on warfarin therapy in Thai patients with mechanical heart valves 12,049.89 baht ( $301.25 ) per patient per year (3,313,172.43 baht ( $82829.31 ) for total per year) CONLUSIONS: Pharmacist intervention can provide substantial saving and present a favorable economic profile in the treatment of warfarin therapy in Thai patients with mechanical heart valves

 

   

Back to top

 

2nd Asia Pacific Conference Index Page 

Contact ISPOR @ info@ispor.org  |  View Legal Disclaimer
©2008 International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions.
 
Website design by Eagle Systems USA, Inc.