Evaluation of the drug treatment regimens for pulmonary tuberculosis and their cost-effectiveness.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 1995 up to one-third of the total global population were estimated to be infected with the tubercle bacilli with nearly 90% of cases occurring in the developing countries. In addition, the 1999 WHO report on tuberculosis (TB) estimated the total number of new sputum-positive cases to have been just over 3.5 m globally in 1997. The incorrect usage of the available drugs has lead to drug-resistant forms of the bacteria which has further complicated the treatment needs and the costs imposed on healthcare services. Faced with this scenario it is important that a comprehensive policy is adopted to make best use of the existing drugs and to do so in a cost-effective way. This article considers the studies conducted on drug treatment regimens for pulmonary TB and their cost-effectiveness in the developing world.
Zabihollah
M
M
PharmacoEconomics Research Centre (PERC), University of St Andrews, St Katharine's West, Scores, St Andrews, KY16 9AL, Scotland, UK. mz@st-and.ac.uk
Brock
E M
EM
D000818:Animals; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics*
D000995:Antitubercular Agents