title: Treatment costs for advanced prostate cancer using luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists: a solid biodegradable leuprorelin implant versus other formulations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare treatment costs with alternative luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist preparations and determine whether a leuprorelin solid implant is associated with potential cost savings.
  
  
  METHODS
  A hypothetical population of 1000 prostate cancer patients was apportioned between the three most commonly-prescribed LHRH agonist preparations. Differentiated annual costs for 1- and 3-monthly formulations were calculated for France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK (EU5) and Sweden, and compared with the leuprorelin solid implant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with alternative formulations, leuprorelin solid implants had potential annual cost savings/1000 patients of €353,000 (EU5) and €699,000 (Sweden; 1-month formulations), and €259,000 (EU5) and €300,000 (Sweden; 3-month formulations).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The leuprorelin solid implant was associated with potential cost savings compared with the most commonly used LHRH agonist preparations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology & Urologic Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Axel S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Merseburger
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery & Urology, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Björk
authors.affiliation: Norgine, Norgine House, Widewater Place, Moorhall Road Harefield, Uxbridge, UB9 6NS, UK.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Whitehouse
authors.affiliation: Sandoz Biopharmaceuticals, Sandoz International GmbH, Industriestraße 25, 83607 Holzkirchen, Germany.
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Meani
mesh_terms: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004343:Drug Implants; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics*
chemical_list: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D004343:Drug Implants; D016729:Leuprolide
keywords: costs; economics; leuprorelin; luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists; prostate cancer