Willingness to pay for complete symptom relief of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
BACKGROUND
Over $6 billion per year is spent on prescription medication for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This study is an economic analysis of patients' willingness to pay for a prescription medication that offers complete relief of GERD symptoms.


METHODS
The study was a cross-sectional, nonrandomized design recruiting patients from 5 clinical sites. A computer-administered discrete-choice questionnaire was used to explore patients' willingness to pay for various attributes (time to relief, amount of relief, side effects, and out-of-pocket cost) associated with GERD treatment. Patients chose between 2 different combinations of attributes by indicating which scenario they preferred. Data were gathered on health status, health-related quality of life, and sociodemographic characteristics.


RESULTS
Two hundred five patients completed the discrete-choice questionnaire with a consistency rate of 99.5%. All attributes were relevant to patient decision making. Respondents were willing to pay up to $182 to obtain complete relief in a short period of time without side effects. Patients with less severe GERD symptoms were willing to pay more to avoid side effects ($58.25 vs $38.43). Older patients were less willing to pay for better relief than younger patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Results demonstrate that patients are willing to pay more per month for a medication that provides more complete and faster relief from GERD symptoms. This information can guide clinicians and formulary committees in evaluating optimal treatment for GERD.
Kleinman
Leah
L
MEDTAP International, Bethesda, MD, USA. kleinman@medtap.com
McIntosh
Emma
E
Ryan
Mandy
M
Schmier
Jordana
J
Crawley
Joseph
J
Locke
G Richard
GR
De Lissovoy
Gregory
G
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003657:Decision Making; D005252:Fees, Pharmaceutical; D005260:Female; D005382:Financing, Personal; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires