Cost analysis of glaucoma medications.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the yearly cost in 1998 of glaucoma medications to patients and to the Health Plan at a university-affiliated teaching hospital with its own health maintenance organization.


METHODS
Data concerning Health Plan glaucoma-medication prescriptions for 1998 were retrieved from the hospital pharmacy database.


RESULTS
The most costly medication per patient per year was latanoprost (Xalatan; Pharmacia & Upjohn, Kalamazoo, MI [$337]), followed by betaxolol hydrochloride (Betoptic-S; Alcon, Fort Worth, TX [$336]), dorzolamide (Trusopt; Merck & Co., West Point, PA [$288]), brimonidine tartrate (Alphagan; Allergan Pharmaceuticals, Irvine, CA [$260]), timolol maleate 0.5% in a gel-forming solution (Timoptic-XE 0.5%; Merck & Co., West Point, PA [$199]), levobunolol hydrochloride (Betagan; Allergan Pharmaceuticals, Irvine, CA [$195]), and generic timolol maleate 0.5% ($132). Cost per unit was greatest for Betoptic-S ($51), exceeding that of Trusopt ($43) and Xalatan ($43), Alphagan ($42), Betagan ($38), Timoptic-XE 0.5% ($32), and timolol maleate 0.5% ($27).


CONCLUSIONS
Variability in the cost of medications may influence the long-term medical management of glaucoma patients.
Vold
S D
SD
Department of Surgery, Scott & White Memorial Hospital and Clinic, Texas A&M College of Medicine, Temple 76508, USA.
Wiggins
D A
DA
Jackimiec
J
J
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics*; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics*; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D016527:Drug Costs; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics*; D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D006278:Medicare / Q000191:economics; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011453:Prostaglandins