Sumatriptan: Economic Evidence for Its Use in the Treatment of Migraine, the Canadian Comparative Economic Analysis

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate economic and health effects of sumatriptan relative to customary therapy in Canada. The relationship between treatment and functionality was established based on analysis of existing data from a multinational study. A Monte Carlo model was developed to simulate 1 year for each of customary therapy and six sumatriptan formulations. Costs are expressed in 1998 Canadian dollars. Sumatriptan is expected to reduce the time spent with migraine symptoms and resulting time lost. Under customary therapy, the annual cost of lost time is estimated at pound908 ($1973). With sumatriptan, these costs ranged from pound406 ($882) with subcutaneous sumatriptan to pound577 ($1254) with nasal sumatriptan 10 mg, saving pound331-502 ($719-1091) in the annual cost of time lost. All these benefits are expected to be obtained at an additional drug cost ranging from pound869 ($1889) for subcutaneous sumatriptan to pound278 ($605) for sumatriptan suppository. The cost of sumatriptan treatment is significantly offset by a substantial reduction of costs associated with time lost due to migraine symptoms.

Cost‐Effectiveness of Topiramate in Migraine Prevention: Results From a Pharmacoeconomic Model of Topiramate Treatment

“…Direct Acute Treatment Costs.— The use of acute medical services per attack was estimated using published literature (Table 1). 12,25,26 For each migraine attack and acute treatment type (ie, triptan or usual care), the probability of an emergency room visit, hospitalization, and/or a physician visit was calculated and incorporated into the model. Attacks treated with triptan medications have a lower probability of requiring these additional healthcare services as compared to attacks treated with usual care 12,25,26 .…”

“…Lost productivity costs are based on the number of hours of lost work associated with each migraine attack. We used published data to estimate that migraine attacks treated with usual acute care would result in 3 hours of lost productivity, while attacks treated with triptans would result in a loss of 2 hours 12,25,26 . Only attacks occurring on workdays (assumed 5 per week) are included in the cost calculations.…”

Treatment of Migraine in Canada With Naratriptan: A Cost‐Effectiveness Analysis

“…Given lack of data on the effect of naratriptan on medical resource utilization rates, it was assumed that the effect would be the same as recently estimated for an ACE analysis of sumatriptan. 22 Table 1 provides rates used in the naratriptan analysis.…”

Work Absenteeism Due to a Chronic Disease

“…See also Senaratne et al (2010). 5 It is estimated that only half of episodes require a leave from work [Caro et al (2001)] but of those, the majority require treatment [Clouse and Osterhaus (1994)]. Yet the productivity of those who remain at work may nevertheless be seriously negatively impacted [see, e.g.…”