Pharmacoeconomic considerations of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) within the European Union

Abstract

Depression is a frequently utilised model in health economy analysis, particularly since the introduction of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). In the present study, a costtreatment analysis of this antidepressant family is carried out, in a representative sample of EU countries. For each SSRI and country, a series of pharmacoeconomic indicators was calculated including Monthly Treatment Cost (MTC), Relative Cost (RC), and Health Care Pharmaceutical Index (HCPI). The results of this study show a great disparity and lack of homogeneity among the pharmacoeconomic indicators in the different countries. MTC is higher in Central Europe countries, while France and the United Kingdom have the lowest MTC and RC. RC, a relative indicator of antidepressant cost for the patient, is higher not only in Germany and Denmark but also in Mediterranean countries. Concerning the Government cost, HCPI shows higher values for countries with lower total health expenses per capita, such as Spain, Italy and Ireland. No correlation exists either between MTC and launching year of the different SSRI. The lack of homogeneity in the analysed parameters may be due, in our opinion, to a series of factors, such as the R&D expenses, the commercial policy of pharmaceutical companies or the price control by Regulatory Authorities, which have a different repercussion in EU countries. © 1998 Brookwood Medical Publications Ltd.