title: The economic efficiency of amlodipine in the treatment of coronary atherosclerosis--an analysis based on the PREVENT study.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, Hirslanden Research, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Gieri
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cathomas
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Erne
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schwenkglenks
authors.forename: Thomas D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Szucs
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D017311:Amlodipine