PID17 ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF OSELTAMIVIR FOR INFLUENZA PATIENTS IN JAPAN

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this analysis is to estimate the economic impacts of oseltamivir treatment for influenza in Japan. METHODS: A decision tree with endpoints of occurrences of pneumonia was constructed to compare two treatment strategies, oseltamivir treatment and conventional treatment, for otherwise healthy adult (over 16) patients with influenza like illness in Japan. Drug consumption data (e.g., acetaminophen, antibiotics, and palliative drugs for influenza like illness related symptoms) were collected prospectively as well as work absenteeism data as part of the Japanese placebo-controlled double-blind multicenter study by oseltamivir that included 316 patients. Parameters used in the decision tree were mainly derived from this study and combined with published data. Sensitivity analyses were also performed to examine the robustness of the results. RESULTS: Expected total medical cost per patient was 14,100 yen and 14,412 yen for oseltamivir treatment and conventional treatment, respectively. Expected cost including production loss was 56,654 yen and 63,485 yen, for oseltamivir treatment and conventional treatment, respectively. Based on the results of basic analyses, the savings that could be expected in Japanese nationwide health care costs with widespread use of oseltamivir ranged from 1.1 billion yen to 3.4 billion yen. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that oseltamivir treatment for patients with flu-like symptoms can be attractive from the societal perspective in Japan.