11th International AIDS Conference Vancouver, British Columbia — July 7-12, 1996

Int Conf AIDS 1996 Jul 7-12; 11:32 (abstract no. LB.B.6048)
Savage GE, Gable C, Motte K, Dixon C, Becker R; Health Economics State and Federal Associated, Inc., Alexandria, VA. Fax: (703) 683-2239.

OBJECTIVE: A pharmacoeconomic analysis based on clinical trial data comparing standard treatment Adriamycin, Bleomycin, and Vincristine (ABV) with a new single product, liposomal daunorubicin (DaunoXome), for the treatment of advanced Kaposi's sarcoma.

METHODS: The analysis is a cost minimization model assuming equal efficacy between ABV and DaunoXome. The model compared costs associated with the standard of care, ABV, to DaunoXome, based upon Phase III clinical trial data, resource use, chemotherapeutic administration, monitoring costs, and adverse events. The rates of adverse events in the model were based on data from the clinical trial for 8 cycles of treatment during four months. Costs for drugs were based upon AWP from the Red Book, and the cost estimates for procedures and treatments based upon data from Medirisk Physician Fee Schedule.

RESULTS: The pharmacoeconomic advantage of DaunoXome versus ABV is the reduced administration and monitoring costs. Using DaunoXome resulted in a savings of $705 (US 1995 dollars) compared to ABV. Administration costs for DaunoXome were $1,296 less than ABV due to reduction in the number of drug administrations per cycle (i.e., 3 vs. 1). The drugs for adverse events that were common to both study arms were growth factor and anti-emetics for leukopenia and nausea, respectively. Monitoring costs were $194 less for DaunoXome than for ABV therapy based upon the number of chest x-rays, EKGs, CBCs+differentials, SMA-20s, MUGA scans, and triglyceride tests.

CONCLUSION: DaunoXome is a more cost competitive treatment than ABV, due to its reduced administrative and monitoring costs. In addition DaunoXome has the potential to improve the quality of life of late stage Kaposi's sarcoma patients due to its reduction in alopecia.

960707
LBB6048

Copyright © 1996 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.