Effects of the ritonavir price increase on the cost of protease inhibitor regimens in United States.
In late 2003, one manufacturer effected a fivefold increase in the price of its protease inhibitor (PI) ritonavir. Using the average wholesale price of each treatment regimen, IMS Health marketshare data, and epidemiologic data, the authors analyzed the effect of this price increase on the direct cost of ritonavir-boosted PI regimens. If 75% of individuals living with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and 50% of those with human immunodeficiency virus infection in 2003 were receiving PI regimens, the total direct cost after the price rise was dollar 4 billion, an increase approaching dollar 1 billion. Moreover, the estimates of increased costs obtained in this study are assumed to be conservative.
Lee
Won Chan
WC
Abt Associates, Bethesda, Maryland 20814-5341, USA. WonChan_Lee@abtassoc.com
Williams
Kevin W
KW
Chen
Er
E
Liu
Larry Z
LZ
Pashos
Chris L
CL
D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017320:HIV Protease Inhibitors / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019438:Ritonavir / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014481:United States
D017320:HIV Protease Inhibitors; D019438:Ritonavir