Pharmacoeconomic analysis of the treatment of schizophrenia with quetiapine, olanzapine, risperidone or haloperidol in Spain

Abstract

The study objective was to compare the costs of the treatment of schizophrenia with quetiapine (QUE), olanzapine (OLA), risperidone (RIS) or haloperidol (HAL) and those of the secondary effects (SE) associated. A cost-effectiveness analysis, using a Markov process, was used. The time horizon was 12 months. The study population comprised Spanish adult schizophrenic patients. The NHS perspective was taken (direct costs). The costs of several SE of medication were analysed. Use of resources and costs were calculated following the recommendations of the Spanish Psychiatric Society and other sources. The monthly rates of the onset of SE with each medicine were calculated using a meta-analysis and systematic review of the literature. A simple univariate sensitivity analysis was performed. QUE is as efficacious as OLA and RIS, but apparently leading to fewer cases of extrapyramidal syndrome and sexual dysfunction, with lower costs. QUE is better tolerated than HAL, but with higher costs. © 2006 Informa UK Ltd.