The economic efficiency of amlodipine in the treatment of coronary atherosclerosis--an analysis based on the PREVENT study.
BACKGROUND
High health service expenditure on the one hand, and the politically declared objective of stability of statutory contributions and restriction of public funds on the other hand, have been central points of the political and social discussion for several years. The over-proportional increase in health service expenditure is obvious, compared to the increase in the costs of living.


METHODS
Cost-effectiveness of amlodipine in the treatment of coronary atherosclerosis was analysed by applying the results of the PREVENT study to the Swiss health system.


RESULTS
Calculation of effectiveness shows an additional life expectancy of 0.083 years in the amlodipine cohort compared to the placebo cohort, over an observation period of 3 years. The cost-effectiveness of amlodipine treatment is approximately CHF 14,650 per life-year gained.


CONCLUSIONS
The administration of the calcium antagonist amlodipine in CHD patients is cost-effective.
Cathomas
Gieri
G
Medical Department, Hirslanden Research, Zurich, Switzerland.
Erne
Paul
P
Schwenkglenks
Matthias
M
Szucs
Thomas D
TD
D017311:Amlodipine / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D017850:Economics, Pharmaceutical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D017311:Amlodipine