Pharmacoeconomics of voriconazole.
BACKGROUND
The recent increase in the use of antineoplastic and immune suppressive agents and the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, prosthetic interventions, organ transplants and more aggressive surgery have been related to a greater prevalence of invasive fungal infections (IFI). Over the past few years, several new antifungal therapies have become available for these patients. Pharmacoeconomic data can play a useful role in comparing the relative benefits of treatment.


METHODS
This review summarizes all the available evidence regarding the pharmacoeconomics of voriconazole. A systematic review of pharmacoeconomic analyses through a non-restricted literature search was conducted (until May 2009).


RESULTS
The reader will gain a greater understanding of the pharmacoeconomics role of voriconazole.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of economic analyses have shown that voriconazole is a more cost-effective alternative in the treatment of invasive fungal infections than the antifungal drugs with which it was compared.
Rubio-Terrés
Carlos
C
Health Value, Virgen de Aranzazu, 21, 28034 Madrid, Spain. crubioterres@healthvalue.org
Grau
Santiago
S
D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D016527:Drug Costs; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D018803:Models, Economic; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014230:Triazoles / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D065819:Voriconazole
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D011743:Pyrimidines; D014230:Triazoles; D065819:Voriconazole