Failure to adhere to treatment regimens is a common problem among patients treated for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV). The costs associated with non-adherence are high, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of Value in Health.
In this study, titled "Treatment patterns and adherence among patients with chronic hepatitis C virus in a United States managed care population" researchers used a US-based insurance claims database to identify patients treated for chronic HCV. Prescribing patterns, treatment cost, duration of treatment, medication adherence rates, and the relationship between adherence and health care costs were assessed. Results were stratified by key clinical characteristics such as genotype, attainment of sustained virologic response (SVR), and disease severity. The study was co-authored by Debanjali Mitra and Keith Davis of RTI Health Solutions, Cynthia Beam of Human Genome Sciences, Inc., Jasmina Medjedovic of Novartis Pharma AG, and Vinod Rustgi of Georgetown University Medical Center.
Over 90% of patients initiated treatment with a combination therapy consisting of peginterferon and ribavirin. On average patients received treatment for 30 to 32 weeks at a cost of over $20,000. However, adherence to therapy regimens was suboptimal, with approximately 60% of patients adhering to treatment. Non-adherence was higher among patients with severe disease and fewer non-adherent patients attained SVR. Non-adherent patients had lower pharmacy costs but significantly higher disease-specific and all-cause costs in all other care sectors. Inpatient costs were the key drivers of increased costs among non-adherent patients. "New therapies that have greater efficacy or those that promote better adherence may improve SVR and impose a lower cost burden on patients and payers" said study co-author Debanjali Mitra.
Value in Health (ISSN 1098-3015) publishes papers, concepts, and ideas that advance the field of pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research and help health care leaders to make decisions that are solidly evidence-based. The journal is published bi-monthly and has a regular readership of over 4,000 clinicians, decision-makers, and researchers worldwide.
Source
ISPOR
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