Acamprosate, naltrexone underused in Australia

PharmacoEconomics & Outcomes News 428 - 6 Sep 2003

Acamprosate, naltrexoneunderused in Australia

The low use rate of acamprosate and naltrexoneamong patients with alcoholism in Australia raises"serious concerns", say researchers from that country.

The researchers used 2001 Australian prescriptiondata to estimate the uptake of acamprosate andnaltrexone among 512 935 individuals with alcoholism;50% compliance with the recommended treatmentperiods was assumed. They found that 4602 individualsreceived acamprosate and 8899 received naltrexoneduring 2001, equivalent to a "maximum of about 3%" ofindividuals with alcohol dependence, note theresearchers.

However, the costs associated with the use ofacamprosate and naltrexone were estimated at $A4.9million and $A2.3 million,* respectively, over the 2001period. The researchers contend that these resultssuggest a "considerable amount of resources" are beingcommitted to acamprosate and naltrexone as treatmentfor individuals with alcoholism, with "little Australianevidence as to whether this investment represents valuefor money".* Costs (Australian dollars) were those related to general-practitionervisits and medication costs for the government and for patients.

Doran CM, et al. New pharmacotherapies for alcohol dependence: are they beingused and what do they cost? Medical Journal of Australia 179: 218, No. 4, 18 Aug2003 800943267

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PharmacoEconomics & Outcomes News 6 Sep 2003 No. 4281173-5503/10/0428-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved