Economic impact of different preparations of leuprolide acetate in the management of advanced prostrate cancer

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the economic impact of 1-, 3- and 6-monthly preparations of leuprolide acetate, a luteinising hormone-releasing hormone agonist (LHRHa), in the treatment of prostate cancer. Using three published open-label multicentre clinical trials involving the use of each of the three LHRHa preparations, a cost rrrirumisarion analysis was undertaken. The mean annual costs of managing advanced prostate cancer patients with the 1-, 3- and 6-monthly preparations were €2,839 (standard deviation (SD) €233), €1,777 (SD €195) and €1,567 (SD €204), respectively. The study concludes that, despite a higher unit price, use of the 6-monthly formulation of leuprolide acetate provides the lowest cost treatment option, the cost driver being the reduction in the number of treatments required. Germany was used as a case study to highlight the impact of health policies on the adoption of such cost optimisation treatment options in prostrate cancer patients. © 2007 Informa UK Ltd.