Aim: To conduct pharmacoeconomic evaluation of oral-hypoglycemic agents using cost effectiveness analysis.
Methodology: The study was conducted in a hospital at Bangalore for 9 months period. In-patients who were diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (type 2 DM) and were receiving treatment specifically with oral-hypoglycemic agent(s) were included in the study. Various treatment-related expenses were determined and tabulated from patient case note. The data obtained was introduced to cost-effectiveness analysis to arrive at the most cost effective oral-hypoglycemic agent. To determine the significant difference between the treatment alternatives statistical test (ANOVA) was introduced.
Results: A total of 62 patients were included in the
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OBJECTIVES
• To document the treatment of type 2 DM which the in-patients will receive during their study period at medicine wards of St. Martha’s Hospital, Bangalore. To calculate and record various treatment-related expenses incurred such as: Cost of oral-hypoglycemic agents, laboratory charges, hospitalization charges, and any other miscellaneous expenses.
• To apply cost effectiveness analysis and find out the treatment which is most cost effective with maximum benefit.
3. MATERIAL AND METHODS
A prospective observational study was conducted at hospital in Bangalore for 9 months. Ethical committee clearance was obtained from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of St. Martha’s Hospital, Bangalore. All in-patients diagnosed with type-2 DM, receiving oral-hypoglycemic agent(s), were enrolled in the study. Pediatric, pregnant and lactating, Patients with severe type 2 diabetes and, patients with type 1 diabetes were excluded from the study. 62 patients who satisfy the inclusion criteria were recruited during the study period. Details about demographic, laboratory charges, nursing charges, physician charges and, cost of oral hypoglycemic agents received by study patients were collected from the patient’s medical sheet note. Information related to cost of each parameter were collected from the in-patient pharmacy as well as financial department. All of the earlier mentioned data were assembled in a specific pre-design collection form. The assembled data was introduced to cost effectiveness analysis to arrive at the cost of different treatments options. By using the cost effectiveness formula (i.e. Average cost effectiveness ratio equal healthcare cost divided by clinical benefit) it is expressed in monetary terms. Statistical test-ANOVA was applied to understand the significant difference between the treatment