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Topical 5-fluorouracil is the most effective and and least costly treatment of actinic keratosis (AK) in the head and neck area, according to a study from the Netherlands. The trial included 624 patients with >= 5 AKs in the head and neck region who were randomised to 5% 5-fluorouracil cream, applied twice daily for 4 weeks; 5% imiquimod cream, applied once daily 3 days a week for 4 weeks; 0.015% ingenol mebutate gel, applied once daily for 3 consecutive days; or methylaminolevulinate photodynamic therapy (MAL-PDT). A trial-based cost-effectiveness analysis of topical 5-fluorouracil vs imiquimod vs ingenol mebutate vs methylaminolevulinate conventional photodynamic therapy for the treatment of actinic keratosis in the head and neck area performed in the Netherlands. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses three studies on the cost effectiveness of ranizumab for macular oedema secondary to branch or central retinal vein occlusion (BRVO or CRVO) treatment when compared to laser photocoagulation therapy. The study in Great Britain shown that ranibizumab has incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) of £15 710 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY). It mentions that in Canada ICERs are at $Can36 725 per QALY. Meanwhile, in the U.S. ICERs are at $U.S.19 270 per QALY.

The article provides an overview of three of the top pharmacoeconomic studies presented at the 834 annual scientific meeting of the American Heart Association in New Orleans, Louisiana in November 2010. The firs study revealed the cost effectiveness of fondaparinux compared with enoxaparin for treating non-ST-elevation acute pulmonary syndrome. Another study comparatively analyzed the cost and cost effectiveness of rhythm and rate control strategies in treating atrial fibrillation patients.

The article provides information on a cost analysis study conducted by Canadian researchers on maternal depression treatment in Ontario. Assumptions were made based on data from Statistics Canada. Those who discontinued their antidepressant medication reportedly suffered depressive relapse. Researchers recommend treating the condition during pregnancy in order to realise cost savings.

The article reports on a cost analysis conducted in Spain on the hypertension drug eprosartan. According to researchers, despite its high acquisition cost, the overall costs of treating hypertension with eprosartan are similar to those of diuretics. The acquisition cost and costs associated with eprosartan and diuretics were compared. It was concluded that eprosartan may contribute to improved prescription compliance.

The article discusses research on the cost-effectiveness of heart failure disease management programs. It references a study by D. C. Heidenreich and colleagues published in the February 2008 issue of the "American Heart Journal." A Markov model was developed by the researchers to assess the costs and outcomes associated with the provision of disease management programmes to high-risk patients with heart failure. The study found that the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio would be $9700 per life-year gained.

The article reports on the cost-effectiveness of sorafenib as drug for the treatment of advanced renal cancer, according to a Spanish study presented at the 9th Annual European Congress of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research. The mathematical model used to analyze the cost-effectiveness of the drug is presented.

The article reveals that the use of modified, directly observed therapy (MDOT) for HAART, in patients with substance abuse and poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy, is highly cost-effective, according to a cost-utility analysis. The use of immediate MDOT was even more cost-saving compared with delayed MDOT.