Cost-effectiveness of four immunomodulatory therapies for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a Markov model based on data a Balkan country in socioeconomic transition.

Background/aim: A cost-effectiveness analyses of immunomodulatory treatments for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in developed countries have shown that any benefit from these drugs is achieved at very high cost. The aim of our study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of five treatment strategies in patients diagnosed with RRMS (symptom management alone and in combination with subcutaneous glatiramer acetate, intramuscular interferon beta-1a, subcutaneous interferon beta-1a, or intramuscular interferon [beta-1b) in a Balkan country in socio-economic transition.

Methods: The Markov model was developed based on the literature about effectiveness and on local Serbian cost calculations.

[Assessment of diabetes mellitus type 2 treatment costs in the Republic of Serbia].

Background/aim: High morbidity and mortality rates, chronic course of disease and numerous clinical complications, make diabetes mellitus (DM) type 2 bear significant financial burden for healthcare system of Serbia. The aim of this study was to compare true disease-related expenses measured in the random sample of patients originating from the Central Serbia in 2007 and national estimate of total expenses based on available evidence on antidiabetic drugs and insulins acquisition costs in the same fiscal year.

Methods: The study design was prevalence-based, bottom-up cost of illness analysis.