Cost-effectiveness of a 10- versus 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Denmark and Sweden.

Background: The introduction of a 7-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccine (PCV7) had profound public health effects across the globe. PCV7 vaccination in a national immunization program is generally considered cost-effective and potentially cost-saving. Two new PCVs have been launched, a 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10) and a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13).

Cost-effectiveness models of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines: variability and impact of modeling assumptions.

Currently, 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV); and ten-valent PCV vaccine are marketed. Neither vaccine obtained regulatory approval based on efficacy trials, but instead were approved based on a surrogate end point: immunogenicity data measuring effective antibody levels. Therefore, direct measures of efficacy were unavailable at the time economic analyses were conducted.

Quality of life in relation to constipation among opioid users.

Objective: Opioid users often experience constipation. In this study the impact of constipation on QoL was assessed in patients using opioids either for non-advanced illness or advanced illness.

Methods: Patients using opioids, recruited via public pharmacies, were asked to complete questionnaires on opioid use, constipation and the EuroQol five-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D).

Cost-effectiveness of a potential future Helicobacter pylori vaccine in the Netherlands: the impact of varying the discount rate for health.

To estimate the cost-effectiveness of a potential Helicobacter pylori (HP) vaccine for the Dutch situation, we developed a Markov model. Several HP prevalence scenarios were assessed. Additionally, we assessed the impact of the discount rate for health on the outcomes, as this influence can be profound for vaccines.

Incremental cost effectiveness of proton pump inhibitors for the prevention of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ulcers: a pharmacoeconomic analysis linked to a case-control study.

Introduction: We estimated the cost effectiveness of concomitant proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in relation to the occurrence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ulcer complications.

Methods: This study was linked to a nested case-control study. Patients with NSAID ulcer complications were compared with matched controls.

Pharmacoeconomics of quetiapine for the management of acute mania in bipolar I disorder.

Bipolar disorder (or manic depression) is a lifelong, severe and complex psychiatric illness characterized by recurrent episodes of depression and mania. The aim of this study is to explore the cost-effectiveness of quetiapine compared with other alternatives for the treatment of acute manic episodes in bipolar I disorder, with a specific focus on serious side effects. Four trials investigating quetiapine monotherapy and adjunctive therapy were performed to investigate the efficacy of quetiapine in patients with bipolar I disorder.

Direct medical costs of serious gastrointestinal ulcers among users of NSAIDs.

Background: The occurrence and prevention of gastrointestinal ulcers during use of NSAIDs has become a major healthcare issue.

Objective: To determine the direct medical costs of serious NSAID-related ulcer complications.

Method: An observational cost-of-illness study was conducted in a large general hospital serving a population of 152,989 persons.

Economic evaluation of a randomized trial comparing Helicobacter pylori test-and-treat and prompt endoscopy strategies for managing dyspepsia in a primary-care setting.

Background: In western European countries, most dyspeptic patients are initially managed by their general practitioners (GPs), who use a range of strategies to manage dyspepsia. We performed an economic analysis of a Helicobacter pylori test-and-treat strategy versus a prompt endoscopy approach in a primary care setting.

Methods: Data were used from the Strategy: Endoscopy versus Serology (SENSE) study, performed in The Netherlands from 1998 to 2001.

Drug costs developments after patent expiry of enalapril, fluoxetine and ranitidine: a study conducted for the Netherlands.

Background: In order to increase price competition, government regulations focus on controlling drug costs. Drug costs after patent expiry are an area of particular interest because the substitution of branded medication with generics represents an opportunity for lowering drug costs. However, drug costs may not decrease after patent expiry, because of a lack of price competition and different national pricing systems.

Pharmacoeconomics of gastrointestinal drug utilisation prior and post Helicobacter pylori eradication.

Background: Eradication of Helicobacter pylori prevents recurrence of peptic ulcer. In pharmacoeconomic analyses it is often presumed that after successful eradication no more gastrointestinal drugs are used. We investigated this presumed positive monetary effect using General Practitioners prescribing data, including information in diagnosis.

A pharmacoeconomic comparison of the efficacy and costs of pantoprazole and omeprazole for the treatment of peptic ulcer or gastroesophageal reflux disease in The Netherlands.

Background: The focus of treatment of patients with peptic ulcer or gastroesuphageal reflux disease has changed during the last 15 years, with a shift from histamine2-receptor antagonists to proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs). From 1993 to 2000, expenditures for omeprazole (90% of total market share of PPIs) increased in The Netherlands from 68 million euros to 230 million euros. In 1999, expenditures for pantoprazole accounted for the majority of the rest of the market share for PPIs.