Economic evaluation of Campral (Acamprosate) compared to placebo in maintaining abstinence in alcohol-dependent patients.
We compared the costs of acamprosate in maintaining abstinence in weaned alcoholic patients, to no pharmaceutical treatment over a 24-month period. A controlled trial (n=448) involving a 12-month treatment with acamprosate and a 12-month follow-up showed a significant advantage of acamprosate over placebo in the prevention of relapse. For the economic analysis, the average costs of relapses from the health insurance perspective were calculated based on a Belgian survey among general practitioners and on an observational prospective Belgian trial among specialists. Calculations resulted in net cost savings of 21,301 BEF (528 Euro) per patient over a 24-month period for acamprosate compared to no pharmaceutical treatment, explained by fewer acute hospitalisations for detoxification and less institutionalised rehabilitation. A global anticipated net saving of 70 million BEF (1.74 million Euro) over 2 years was estimated for the Belgian health insurance.
Annemans
L
L
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium. la.hedm@skynet.be
Vanoverbeke
N
N
Tecco
J
J
D'Hooghe
D
D
D000077443:Acamprosate; D000427:Alcohol Deterrents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics*; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008390:Markov Chains; D018803:Models, Economic; D010919:Placebos; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013654:Taurine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013695:Temperance
D000427:Alcohol Deterrents; D010919:Placebos; D013654:Taurine; D000077443:Acamprosate