Cost Analysis of the Treatment of Schizophrenia in Thailand: A Simulation Model Comparing Olanzapine, Risperidone, Quetiapine, Ziprasidone and Haloperidol
Ronnachai Kongsakon, MD, LLB, MSc*, Thawatchai Leelahanaj, MD, MSc**, Natalia Price, BEc (Hons)***, Liesl Birinyi-Strachan, BSc (Hons), PhD***, Peter Davey, BA, MA (Econ)***
Affiliation : * Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine,Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University ** Department of Psychiatry and Neurology Phramongkutklao Hospital *** Medical Technology Assessment Group Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW, Australia, www.m-tag.net
Objectives : To compare the annual costs of treating schizophrenia with four atypical antipsychotics-olanzapine,
risperidone, quetiapine and ziprasidone and one typical antipsychotic: haloperidol in Thailand.
Materials and Methods : The present study used a cost analysis model. The model simulated treatment of
schizophrenics for 12 months with the data from international literature review. A comprehensive search of
pharmacoeconomic literature was carried out in order to identify studies to be included in the present review.
Model parameter used data from the searches of 1175 publications but merely 31 of them were relevant to the
objectives of the present study. Costs associated with olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine, ziprasidone and
haloperidol therapy were calculated over a period of 12-months. This analysis included health care costs and
costs associated with productivity losses.
Results : The total cost from the cost analysis was as follows: Haloperidol gives the lowest annual cost of THB
86,004, within the atypical antipsychotics, Olanzapine produces an annual cost of THB 103,225 compared to
THB 104,564 with risperidone, 118,314 with ziprazidone. The cost ranges up to THB 146,526 for quetiapine
therapy.
Conclusion : Treatment with olanzapine appears to be more cost-effective than that with the other atypical
antipsychotics in Thai schizophrenic patients.
Keywords : Cost analysis, Schizophrenia, Atypical antipsychotics, Olanzapine, Risperidol, Ziprasidone, Quetiapine, Haloperidol
