was calculated. Considering a switch to aztreonam lysine, the reduction of exacerbation was estimated in order to maintain the overall treatment cost. For the base case, ex-factory prices were considered; for sensitivity analysis, discounts ranged from 15 to 50%. Results: Switching to aztreonam lysine would not increase overall treatment costs in 8/12 options; even maintaining current exacerbation episodes could lead to SNS savings. In the remaining options, the required reduction of exacerbations varies depending on the patient's current situation, ranging from 110% (one episode/ year) to 18% (six episodes/year). In the sensitivity analysis, there are 3 options in which switching to aztreonam lysine would not imply higher treatment costs. For the remaining alternatives, the required reduction of exacerbations does not change significantly from the base case: from 116% (one episode/year) to 19% (six episodes/ year). ConClusions: In CF patients with chronic pulmonary infection by PA, hospitalizations costs due to exacerbations have a greater economic impact than drug treatment costs. Using aztreonam lysine, instead of other treatments, would not imply a budget impact in a wide range of patient profiles if exacerbation episodes can be reduced. As the number of current exacerbations increases, a lesser reduction of these events is required by a switch to aztreonam lysine to avoid incremental treatment costs.objeCtives: Meprobamate is a constituent of various combination analgesics in South Africa. Due to its abuse potential, the scheduling status of meprobamate is currently under review with the possibility of introducing stricter controls on its availability. The primary aim was to determine the impact of generic substitution on meprobamate-containing combination analgesic prescribing. Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional drug utilisation study was conducted on prescription data of a medical insurance scheme administrator in South Africa for 2011. Results: A total of 97 491 analgesics were dispensed to 31 854 patients during the year. Within ATC category N02B, 62.10% of prescriptions were for analgesic combinations, of which 20 326 prescriptions were for meprobamate-containing analgesics at a cost of R282 930. A total of 10 404 patients received meprobamate-containing analgesics. Overall, 20.85% of all analgesics contained meprobamate. Patients who received meprobamate-containing analgesics were slightly older (39.52 years) compared to patients who received analgesics in general (33.61 years). Mandatory generic substitution exists in South Africa, unless otherwise indicated by the prescriber or if the patient refuses. Twenty-two trade names of meprobamate-containing analgesics were dispensed, of which 17 (the originator plus 16 branded generics) contained exactly the same dosages of active ingredients (320 mg paracetamol, 8 mg codeine phosphate, 32 mg caffeine and 150 mg meprobamate). In previous studies, the originator product was the most often prescribed, yet in this study the originator product only consti...

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IntroductionThalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that requires lifelong adherence to a complicated and burdensome medical regimen which could potentially impact emotional functioning of patients.ObjectivesTo assess the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms in adult patients with thalassemia.AimsTo explore possible demographic, medical, and psychosocial correlates of these symptoms.Methods117 patients (19-61 years old, M age = 37.2Plusmn;9.3; 63% female) took part in the study. Depression, anxiety stress scale (DASS) was used along with SF12 for health related quality of life and a questionnaire about sociodemographic characteristics. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 16.ResultsSevere depressive symptoms were found in 17 patients (15%), anxiety symptoms in 11(9.6%) and stress symptoms in 35(30.2%). Sex, age, education, marital status and income had no significant correlation with anxiety and stress. In depression there was a significant difference between single and married patients (x2=6.990 p< .05), with 58.8% of single patients suffering from more depressive symptoms. Higher stress symptoms had a significant correlation with symptoms severity (r=.452 p< .001) and the present socioeconomic situation in Greece (r=.632 p< .001).ConclusionsGiven these findings, regular screening for anxiety stress and depression symptoms could help to identify at-risk patients to provide them with appropriate psychological support with the goal of improving emotional health.

IntroductionSubjective well-being(SWB) is the scientific name for how people evaluate their lives, and since Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that requires lifelong adherence to a complicated and burdensome medical regimen, SWB could be easily underevaluated.ObjectivesTo measure the impact of SWB in adult patients with thalassemia.AimsTo explore possible demographic, physical, and psychosocial correlates in SWB.Methods117 patients(23-60 years old, Mean age=37.2±9.3; 73% females) took part in the study. Satisfaction with Life Scale(SWLS-Ed Diener) was used for SWB, along with SF12 for health related quality of life, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS), life orientation test(GrLOT-R) for dispositional optimism and a questionnaire about sociodemographic characteristics. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 21.Results16.8% of patients were substantially to extremely dissatisfied with their lives(SWLS=5-14). 16.4% were slightly below average(SWLS=15-19), 19.8% had an average score (SWLS=20-24) and the rest had a high(29.8%-25-29) and very high score(17.2%-30-35) respectively. There was a significant difference between males(M=20±7) and females(M=22.8±7.2)(t=-1.906-p=0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that optimism(beta=-.403), stress(beta=-.415), spouse existence(beta=.155), and gender(beta=.228), explained 56.4% of the variance in SWB(adjusted R2=.564-p=0.026). Age, SF12, depression, anxiety and education had a Non Significant effect in the model.ConclusionsGiven these findings, almost half of thalassemia patients have average to low life satisfaction, something which implies that they are sometimes not functioning well because their unhappiness serves as a distraction. Talking to a psychologist or psychiatrist can often help the patient get moving in the right direction, although positive change will be up the person

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