Cost analysis of glaucoma medications: a 3-year review.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate yearly cost of glaucoma medications at a university-affiliated teaching hospital with its own health maintenance organization from 1998 through 2000.


METHODS
We retrieved data from the Scott and White prescription claims file for 1,484 patients concerning Health Plan glaucoma-medication prescriptions for the years 1998 through 2000. Patient inclusion criteria were as follows: 1) use of a single or fixed-combination topical glaucoma medication during all four quarters of at least one full-year, 2) treatment of both eyes, 3) participation in the Health Plan prescription program, and 4) prescriptions filled at pharmacies participating in the Health Plan prescription program.


RESULTS
Over this 3-year period, the most costly medication per patient per year was dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate (Cosopt; Merck, West Point, PA [$470]), followed by betaxolol hydrochloride (Betoptic-S; Alcon, Fort Worth, TX [$370]), latanoprost (Xalatan; Pharmacia and Upjohn, Kalamazoo, MI [$352]), dorzolamide hydrochloride (Trusopt; Merck, West Point, PA [$288]), brimonidine tartrate (Alphagan; Allergan Pharmaceuticals, Irvine, CA [$273]), brinzolamide (Azopt; Alcon, Fort Worth, TX [$243]), timolol maleate 0.5% in a gel-forming solution (Timoptic-XE 0.5%; Merck, West Point, PA [$190]), carteolol hydrochloride (Ocupress; Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Rockville, MD [$183]), generic levobunolol hydrochloride 0.5% ($138), metipranolol (Optipranolol; Bausch and Lomb Pharmaceuticals, Tampa, FL [$135]), and generic timolol maleate 0.5% ($133).


CONCLUSIONS
Differences in yearly cost exist among topical glaucoma medications.
Vold
Steven D
SD
Department of Surgery, Division of Ophthalmology, The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple, Texas, USA.
Riggs
William L
WL
Jackimiec
John
J
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics*; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D016527:Drug Costs; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000191:economics; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics*; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D000077338:Latanoprost; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics*; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic; D000077338:Latanoprost