Clinical and economic evaluation of olanzapine-fluoxetine HCl combination in the treatment of bipolar depression: a managed care approach

Summary

This study was aimed to provide a clinical and economic assessmentfor health care organisations to make formulary decisions on Symbyax™ (olanzapine-fluoxetine HCl combination). The combination drug was shown to be efficacious in treating bipolar depression. However, more compelling evidence is needed for the long-term effect, the effect in a more general population, its comparative advantage over other treatments, its adverse effects, and its efficacy and safety in sub-populations. Results of the budget impact analysis indicated that adding the drug to the formulary would increase medication cost per member per month (PMPM) from $1.150 to $1.172 in the base case scenario. One-way sensitivity analysis showed a rough band of a $0.21 decrease to a $0.26 increase in PMPM cost, by varying one factor at a time while holding all others at base-case levels. Further research is needed for the formulary decision of adding olanzapine-fluoxetine HCI combination drug.

Keywords: :

• economic assessment
• formulary
• olanzapine-fluoxetine HCl
• Symbyax™
• bipolar depression
• budget impact analysis