[Costs related to change to amisulpride in patients suffering from schizophrenia].
OBJECTIVE
The present research studied the cost effects of converting patients suffering from schizophrenia to the use of amisulpride, in order to learn whether the relatively higher medicine costs were compensated for under the Hungarian economic and financing conditions.


METHODS
We analysed and compared costs having occurred before and after conversion in the case of 76 patients suffering from schizophrenia who got amisulpride instead of other typical or atypical antipsychotics in hospital. The analysis adhered to the methodology introduced by Agnes Rupp.


RESULTS
In conformity with earlier investigations in Hungary performed with atypical antipsychotics, amisulpride has also proved its cost neutrality under local economic and financing conditions. Namely, higher disbursements for medicaments are compensated for by productivity increase, indicative of amisulpride's effectiveness, implying decreased economic (and other) burdens to family members. Te remarkable cost ratio improvement in case of patients defined as therapy resistant has played an important role in cost neutrality.


CONCLUSIONS
Amisulpride is an effective antipsychotic which can be prescribed without increasing costs, and in case of therapy resistant patients, it appears to have significant cost sparing effects.
Harangozó
Judit
J
Semmelweis Egyetem, Pszichiátriai és Pszichoterápiás Klinika, Budapest.
Slezák
Adrienn
A
Kukla
Balázs
B
Borsos
Kinga
K
Németh
Orsolya
O
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000077582:Amisulpride; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017046:Cost Savings; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D016527:Drug Costs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics*; D013469:Sulpiride / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D013469:Sulpiride; D000077582:Amisulpride