title: Economic evaluation of BDP/formoterol fixed vs two single inhalers in asthma treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Asthma treatment costs are substantial, the largest proportion being incurred by medications. Combination therapy with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and long-acting beta(2)-agonists (LABA) is recommended in patients not adequately controlled by ICS alone. Aim of this study was to compare costs and health outcomes of a fixed ICS-LABA combination of beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) and formoterol fumarate (FF) vs the same drugs delivered via separate inhalers in Germany.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cost-minimization analysis, a cost-effectiveness analysis, as well as a threshold analysis were undertaken. Efficacy results were obtained from a recent clinical trial. Cost inputs include medical costs, physician costs, and hospital admission costs. Medical costs, health outcomes, and treatment costs were also varied to assess their impact on results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Beclomethasone dipropionate/FF fixed combination was less costly compared to BDP + FF delivered as separate inhalers, costs totaling euro 525 and euro 637, respectively, over a 24-week treatment period. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was euro-9.77 per additional day free of asthma symptoms. Equal cost-effectiveness ratios would still be obtained at a price of the fixed combination increased by 3.4-fold.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A cost-minimization analysis as well as a cost-effectiveness analysis for Germany based on different product price calculations show that BDP/FF fixed combination is superior to BDP + FF delivered via separate inhalers.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology, and Health Economics, Charité University Medical Center, Berlin.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brüggenjürgen
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ezzat
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kardos
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Buhl
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate; D005858:Germany; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers / Q000191:economics*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004983:Ethanolamines; D001507:Beclomethasone; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate