The economic burden of TNFα inhibitors and other biologic treatments in Norway

Figures & data

Table 1 Recommendations on the use of tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors and other biologic agents in Norway as of January 2008 (www.lisnorway.no)

Disease	First choice	Second choice
Ankylosing spondylitis	Etanercept	Adalimumab
Rheumatoid arthritis
First line	Infliximab	Etanercept
Second line	Rituximab
Psoriatic disease	Efalizumab	Etanercept
Ulcerous colitis and fistulating Crohn’s disease	Infliximab
Crohn’s disease (serious)	Adalimumab	Infliximab

Figure 1 The figure illustrates the cost of tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors and other biologic agents in 2008 in the four Norwegian health regions. Costs are according to the 2008 pharmacy purchase price.

Table 2 The table shows the economic resources spent in 2008 on tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors and other biologic agents within Norway and its four health regions. Costs are in Euros (€) and according to the 2008 pharmacy purchase price

Region	Total cost (€)	Inhabitants^a	Cost (€)^b	Ratio
Southeast	48,658,883	2,598,136	18,728	0.91
Western	19,862,719	967,471	20,531	0.99
Central	13,227,446	653,290	20,247	0.98
Northern	14,892,173	462,237	32,218	1.56
Norway	96,641,220	4,681,134	20,645	1.00

Notes:

a National figures as of January 1, 2007.

b Cost per 1000 inhabitants.

Figure 2 The figure shows the total economic resources spent on tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors and other biologic agents at the four hospital trusts in northern Norway in 2007 and 2008. The costs are according to the trusts’ accounts and shown in Euros (€).