Vancomycin vs teicoplanin in the treatment of Gram-positive infections: a pharmacoeconomic analysis in a Turkish University Hospital.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to estimate and compare the costs of vancomycin and teicoplanin in the treatment of Gram-positive hospital infections in Turkey using a cost minimisation analysis.


METHODS
Hacettepe University Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.


METHODS
The health-care provider's perspective was considered within formal pharmacoeconomic assessment methodology. The records of 76 patients who had been hospitalised and treated for Gram-positive infections at Hacettepe University Hospital between 16 July 2003 and 22 November 2003 were retrospectively evaluated to obtain individual data on resources and associated costs.


METHODS
From a cost minimisation perspective, hospital directors may consider teicoplanin to be a relevant option in addition to vancomycin.


RESULTS
The estimated mean treatment cost per patient was 1,780 TRY (1,101 EUR) for teicoplanin and 1,429 TRY (884 EUR) for vancomycin, with statistical analysis failing to reveal any significant difference between the two drugs in terms of these total costs (p = 0.33). This cost minimisation analysis shows that the average costs of vancomycin and teicoplanin per patient observed did not differ significantly.


CONCLUSIONS
Other potential advantages of one drug over the other, as reported by other authors, such as differing safety profiles or advantages in administration, may ultimately decide which is preferred.
Sancar
Aylin Acar
AA
Pharmaceutical Care Unit, Marmara University School of Pharmacy, 81010 Haydarpasa, Istanbul, Turkey. ecz_aylin@yahoo.com
Yegenoglu
Selen
S
de Vries
Robin
R
Postma
Maarten J
MJ
Simsek
Nimet
N
Pechlivanoglou
Petros
P
Unal
Serhat
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D016527:Drug Costs; D005260:Female; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics*; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017334:Teicoplanin / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017334:Teicoplanin; D014640:Vancomycin