Economic evaluation of antipsychotic drugs for schizophrenia treatment within the Brazilian Healthcare System.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the cost-utility of first and second-generation antipsychotics for treatment of schizophrenia.


METHODS
A five-year Markov model was constructed based on a survey of the records of patients seen in 2006 at a psychosocial care center in the municipality of Florianopolis, Southern Brazil. Costs were evaluated from the perspective of the Sistema Unico de Saúde (SUS - Unified Healthcare System). Utility was measured in quality-adjusted life years obtained in the literature.


RESULTS
The Markov model indicated risperidone and haloperidol utilization before olanzapine as the most cost-effective alternatives.


CONCLUSIONS
Antipsychotic agents haloperidol and risperidone are more cost-effective than olanzapine. Strategies prioritizing the use of antipsychotics with better cost-effectiveness could optimize resource allocation without necessarily compromising the health of patients treated through the Sistema Unico de Saúde.
Lindner
Leandro Mendonça
LM
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), 88040-970 Florianópolis, SC, Brasil.
Marasciulo
Antonio Carlos
AC
Farias
Mareni Rocha
MR
Grohs
Geder Evandro Motta
GE
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001938:Brazil; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D016527:Drug Costs; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008390:Markov Chains; D055118:Medication Adherence; D000077152:Olanzapine; D011788:Quality of Life; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D012008:Recurrence; D018967:Risperidone / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D006220:Haloperidol; D018967:Risperidone; D000077152:Olanzapine