Hydrofluoroalkane-134a beclomethasone as a dominant economic asthma therapy

AbstractInhaled corticosteroids for asthma treatment have become mainstay of therapy for patients with persistent asthma. Numerous inhaled corticosteroids are available but to date no prospective cost-effectiveness studies have been reported using exclusively US patients and costs. The purpose of this study was to examine the cost-effectiveness of HFA-beclomethasone (QVAR™) compared to CFC-beclomethasone (Vanceril™) using data from a year-long prospective randomized, open label, parallel multicenter trial. Eligibility criteria required patients to have been on a stable dose of CFC-BDP prior to enrollment. Patients were randomized to either HFA-BDP at approximately half their previous daily dose of CFC-BDP or to continue CFC-BDP. Effectiveness data, in terms of symptom-free days (SFDs), were used in a cost-effectiveness analysis conducted from the viewpoint of managed care. Patients receiving HFA-BDP reported a greater increase (median=22.1) in the number of SFDs than those receiving CFC-BDP (median=14.3) (P=0.03). Total costs of care were less for patients taking HFA-BDP (median=$668) compared to CFC-BDP (median=$977). The median incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was −$5.77 (95% CI:−$68.08 to −$4.08). The results of this analysis indicate that HFA-BDP was a dominant therapy (more effective, less costly) compared to CFC-BDP