title: Choice of generic antihypertensive drugs for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease--a cost-effectiveness analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hypertension is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular disease (CVD). A range of antihypertensive drugs exists, and their prices vary widely mainly due to patent rights. The objective of this study was to explore the cost-effectiveness of different generic antihypertensive drugs as first, second and third choice for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used the Norwegian Cardiovascular Disease model (NorCaD) to simulate the cardiovascular life of patients from hypertension without symptoms until they were all dead or 100 years old. The risk of CVD events and costs were based on recent Norwegian sources.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In single-drug treatment, all antihypertensives are cost-effective compared to no drug treatment. In the base-case analysis, the first, second and third choice of antihypertensive were calcium channel blocker, thiazide and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. However the sensitivity and scenario analyses indicated considerable uncertainty in that angiotensin receptor blockers as well as, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, beta blockers and thiazides could be the most cost-effective antihypertensive drugs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Generic antihypertensives are cost-effective in a wide range of risk groups. There is considerable uncertainty, however, regarding which drug is the most cost-effective.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. tow@nokc.no
authors.forename: Torbjørn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wisløff
authors.forename: Randi M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Selmer
authors.forename: Sigrun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Halvorsen
authors.forename: Atle
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fretheim
authors.forename: Ole F
authors.initials: OF
authors.lastname: Norheim
authors.forename: Ivar Sønbø
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Kristiansen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D016527:Drug Costs; D016568:Drugs, Generic / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000191:economics*
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D016568:Drugs, Generic