Atomoxetine's effect on societal costs in Sweden.
OBJECTIVE
To compare societal costs between patients treated with atomoxetine and placebo in Sweden.


METHODS
Ninety-nine pediatric ADHD patients were randomized to a 10-week double-blind treatment with atomoxetine (n = 49) or placebo (n = 50). All parents received four sessions of psycho-education. Parents filled out a resource utilization questionnaire covering the 10 weeks prior to treatment and the 10-week on-treatment period. Published unit costs/prices were used to calculate costs.


RESULTS
Mean on-treatment costs in the atomoxetine group (SEK [Swedish Krona] 4,558) were significantly lower compared with placebo (SEK 7,684) after adjusting for baseline costs and site (p = .007). All 99 patients entered an open atomoxetine extension phase. Both groups had numerical reductions in direct and indirect costs while on atomoxetine treatment during the extension phase. The atomoxetine medication costs were offset by the reductions in direct nonmedical and indirect costs.


CONCLUSIONS
These data provide preliminary evidence that atomoxetine together with parental psycho education reduces nonmedication costs associated with ADHD in Sweden.
Myrén
Karl-Johan
KJ
IMS Health Sweden AB.
Thernlund
Gunilla
G
Nylén
Asa
A
Schacht
Alexander
A
Svanborg
Pär
P
D000293:Adolescent; D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000191:economics*; D015995:Prevalence; D011437:Propylamines / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology
D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; D011437:Propylamines; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride