title: Economic impact of a triptan Rx-to-OTC switch in six EU countries.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Triptans have been safely and effectively used in the management of migraine for more than fifteen years, and it seems reasonable to wonder what would be the economic impact of moving a specific triptan to OTC availability. The objective of this study was then to examine the economic impact of payer policies of a triptan Rx-to-OTC switch in six EU countries (France, UK, Spain, Italy, Germany and Poland).
  
  
  METHODS
  A decision model was used to model the budgetary impact of a triptan Rx-to-OTC switch from the third-party payer (TPP) and the societal perspectives, using a one-year timeframe.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From the TPP perspective, it is estimated that the current overall direct spending on the management of migraine attacks across the 6 EU Member States is €582 million annually, and that the savings would reach €75 million (13% of the overall direct economic burden of migraine). From the societal perspective, €86 million annually would be added.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given evidence of effectiveness and safety, and given the potential savings, a triptan Rx-to-OTC switch is a reasonable public policy decision.
authors.affiliation: Health Economics and Outcomes Research Department, Creativ-Ceutical, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Aurelie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Millier
authors.affiliation: Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America.
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.affiliation: Unité de Formation et de Recherche d'Odontologie, Université Claude Bernard Lyon I, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Mondher
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Toumi
mesh_terms: D005062:European Union / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014363:Tryptamines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D055553:Prescription Drugs; D014363:Tryptamines