Cost-effectiveness analysis of treatment with liposomal amphotericin B versus conventional amphotericin B in organ or bone marrow transplant recipients with systemic mycoses.
Economic appraisal of pharmaceuticals is becoming increasingly important.  In a retrospective study of patient records from 58 organ or bone marrow-transplanted patients with systemic mycoses, the cost-effectiveness of treatment with a liposomal amphotericin B formulation was compared with that of conventional amphotericin B.  Treatment with liposomal amphotericin B results in fewer adverse reactions, increased life expectancy and higher costs than treatment with conventional amphotericin B.  Pricing liposomal amphotericin B at about SKE6000 per patient treatment day will result in an additional cost per life-year gained of about SEK150 000 relative to that using conventional amphotericin B for patients receiving kidney, kidney and pancreas, or pancreas transplants.  For liver and bone marrow transplant (BMT) recipients the marginal cost-effectiveness ratio was about SEK195 000 and SEK150 000 per life-year gained.  Compared with alternative use of resources in society and health care, use of liposomal amphotericin B rather than conventional amphotericin treatment can be considered cost-effective at the price assumed.
The Swedish Institute for Health Economics (IHE), Lund, Sweden.
U
U
Persson
G R
GR
Tennvall
S
S
Andersson
G
G
Tyden
B
B
Wettermark
D000328:Adult; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004337:Drug Carriers; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008081:Liposomes; D008297:Male; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome