title: [Cost comparison of two combination therapies with peginterferon alfa and ribavarin for the treatment of hepatitis C].
abstract: The two approved combination therapies for the treatment of hepatitis C in Switzerland (Pegasys/Copegus, PAC; PegIntron/Rebetol, PIR) are very similar in terms of efficacy and safety. This study aims at comparing the cost of the two therapies and determining the cost-efficient treatment algorithm. Average cost amounts to CHF 21700.-(PAC) and CHF 19700.- (PIR) for patients with genotype 1 and to CHF 15600.- (PAC) and CHF 15000.- (PIR) for patients with genotype 2/3, respectively. The consistent use of PIR is 9 to 12% cheaper than PAC. Further cost savings of 3% are possible if patients with a bodyweight below 85 kg (genotype 1) or below 75 kg (genotype 2/3) are treated with PIR while patients with a bodyweight over 85 kg (genotype 1) or over 75 kg (genotype 2/3) are treated with PAC.
authors.affiliation: Sozialökonomisches Institut, Universität Zurich. telser@soi.unizh.ch
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Telser
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mülhaupt
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Helbling
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zweifel
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics*; D001835:Body Weight; D017046:Cost Savings; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005838:Genotype; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a