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Abstract #5920 Published in IGR 2-1
Cost analysis of glaucoma medications
Vold SD; Wiggins DA; Jackimiec JJournal of Glaucoma 2000; 9: 150-153
PURPOSE: To evaluate the yearly cost in 1998 of glaucoma medications to patients and to the Health Plan at a university-affiliated teaching hospital with its own health maintenance organization. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data concerning Health Plan glaucoma-medication prescriptions for 1998 were retrieved from the hospital pharmacy database. RESULTS: The most costly medication per patient per year was latanoprost (Xalatan; Pharmacia & Upjohn, Kalamazoo, MI ($337)), followed by betaxolol hydrochloride (Betoptic-S; Alcon, Forth Worth, TX ($336)), dorzolamide (Trusopt; Merck & Co., West Point, PA ($288)), brimonidine tartrate (Alphagan; Allergan Pharmaceuticals, Irvine, CA ($260)), timolol maleate 0.5% in a gel-forming solution (Timoptic-XE 0.5%; Merck & Co., West Point, PA ($199)), levobunolol hydrochloride (Betagan; Allergan Pharmaceuticals, Irvine, CA ($195)), and generic timolol maleate 0.5% ($132). Cost per unit was greatest for Betoptic-S ($51), exceeding that of Trusopt ($43) and Xalatan ($43), Alphagan ($42), Betagan ($38), Timoptic-XE 0.5% ($32), and timolol maleate 0.5% ($27). CONCLUSION: Variability in the cost of medications may influence the long-term medical management of glaucoma patients.
Dr. S.D. Vold, Scott & White Clinic, 2401 South 31st Street, Temple, TX 76508, USA
Classification:
14 Costing studies; pharmacoeconomics
