Cost-effectiveness of a free drug program for schizophrenia in Beijing, China

Abstract

Background: Beijing municipal government launched a Free Drug Program (FDP) in 2013 to reduce the financial burden of schizophrenia patients. Objectives: To assess the cost-effectiveness of a FDP designed for schizophrenia patients in Beijing, China. Methods: In all, 2007 schizophrenia patients enrolled in an FDP (FDP group) and 2001 schizophrenia patients who were not enrolled (non-FDP group) were randomly selected for a cross-sectional survey in August 2015. The study sought to develop a cost-effectiveness model to assess the FDP from the societal perspective in Beijing, China. Scenario analyses explored the potential strategies to further improve the cost-effectiveness of the FDP. Results: The FDP group was associated with lower socioeconomic status and more advanced disease than the non-FDP group (unemployment rate: 48.8% vs 37.3%, p