Analysis of Thraputic Expenditure in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Iran

Aim of the study was to evaluate the cost of four disease-mod-ifying drugs (DMDs) used as first-line treatment for relapsing and remitting mu-ltiple sclerosis (MS): IFNβ-1a IM injecti-on (Avonex®)، IFN β-1b SC injection (Betaferon®)، IFNβ-1a SC injection (Rebif®) and IFNβ-1a IM injection (CinnoVex®). The study used the cost-of-illness approach to estimate the direct and indirect costs associated with five treatment regimes of MS. 231 patie-nts were divided into five groups (groups A، B، C and D received different continu-ous interferon therapy and Group E received symptom management treatm-ent). Detailed questionnaires were com-pleted for 231 patients over a 6-month period (12 months for hospitalization costs). The annual average of total cost per patient amounted to 24475 USD in 2011. Direct costs amounted to 16945 USD and constituted the largest share of total cost (67. 5%). Among the direct costs، the largest cost was belonging to DMDs. Indirect costs amounted to 7530 USD and constituted 32. 2% of total cost. Indirect costs were domiately related to leaving the job. Total costs per patient were estimated to be 22881،35850، 32920،15680 and 15042 USD for A، B، C، D and symptom management groups، re-spectively. Discussion & Results of this study indicated that MS imposes subs-tantial economic burden on MS patients، on their families، and on society as a whole. In order to minimize MS costs and improve quality of life، the ideal aim of MS treatment should be directed to early stage of the disease and using cost-effec-tive therapy regims.