Pharmacoeconomic analysis of smoking-cessation interventions.
A model for evaluating the costs and benefits of smoking-cessation interventions is proposed and published data on the subject are analyzed. Decision-tree analysis was used to determine the costs and benefits, from an employer's perspective, of several smoking-cessation options. The probability that a smoker would stop smoking was based on two published meta-analyses of smoking-cessation interventions and a national study of nicotine patch users who received a smoking-cessation consultation from a pharmacist. The costs were determined by telephone interviews and market research information. A sensitivity analysis of treatment costs was conducted to determine the optimal treatment from the standpoint of costs versus benefits. The smoking-cessation intervention from which an employer would receive the greatest net benefit is the nicotine patch with smoking-cessation consultation from a pharmacist and patient participation in a formal smoking-cessation program. Pharmacists included in this analysis could charge a smoking-cessation consultation fee of up to $109 per patient. Pharmacoeconomic analysis suggested that smoking-cessation therapy consisting of treatment with nicotine patches, consultations with pharmacists, and participation in a comprehensive behavioral program would be the most cost-beneficial to employers.
McGhan
W F
WF
Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, PA 19104-4495, USA.
Smith
M D
MD
D001521:Behavior Therapy; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003663:Decision Trees; D006801:Humans; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012907:Smoking / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000191:economics*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D009538:Nicotine