title: Societal implications of the pharmacoeconomics of alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency.
abstract: The use of intermittent augmentation therapy for patients with alpha(1)-antitrypsin deficiency assists in slowing disease progression and may, as a result, reduce the likelihood of hospitalization and significant clinical events. There are significant cost and access issues related to current therapy management, since currently marked augmentation therapy is expensive and there have been periodic shortages. The high cost, access and reimbursement concerns have prompted questions about the potential pharmacoeconomic advantages of future treatments. In this review, we provide an overview of published research findings concerning the effectiveness of current therapy, reimbursement and cost issues and potential future advances in treatment for alpha(1)-antitrypsin deficiency.
authors.affiliation: Center on Drugs and Public Policy, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, 100 N. Greene Street, Room 612, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. dmullins@rx.umaryland.edu
authors.forename: C Daniel
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Mullins
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Blatt
authors.forename: Junling
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang