eCite Digital Repository
Uptake of and expenditure on direct-acting antiviral agents for Hepatitis C treatment in Australia
Citation
de Graaff, B and Yee, KC and Clarke, P and Palmer, A, Uptake of and expenditure on direct-acting antiviral agents for Hepatitis C treatment in Australia, Applied Health Economics and Health Policy pp. 1-8. ISSN 1175-5652 (2018) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2018
DOI: doi:10.1007/s40258-018-0392-8
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this paper was to evaluate the uptake and financial impact of DAA prescribing in Australia.
Methods: We undertook a retrospective analysis of Medicare prescription and expenditure data for March 2016 to August 2017. Prescription numbers and expenditure data were extracted from the Medicare Statistical Reports website. Numbers of prescriptions were converted to per capita rates. HCV prevalence measures were used to provide context to prescription rates. All costs were reported in $A, year 2017 values.
Results: Nationally, 211,184 DAA prescriptions were reimbursed. Whilst $A3.6 billion was expended through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, confidential pricing agreements precluded calculation of the precise cost. In 18 months, estimated expenditure greatly exceeded the $A1 billion in funding for 5 years. Nationally, the rate of prescriptions was 872/100,000 individuals. Prescription rates were highest in the Australian Capital Territory (1087/100,000) and lowest in Western Australia (625/100,000) despite HCV prevalence being comparable to the national rate in both regions.
Conclusions: Uptake of DAAs has been enthusiastic in the first 18 months of this funding agreement. However, the lack of transparency due to the confidential special pricing agreements means actual government expenditure is unknown. Post-marketing review by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee may enable renegotiation of DAA prices with the sponsors.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
---|---|
Keywords: | hepatitis C, expenditure, DAAs, transparency, Australia |
Research Division: | Economics |
Research Group: | Applied economics |
Research Field: | Health economics |
Objective Division: | Health |
Objective Group: | Clinical health |
Objective Field: | Clinical health not elsewhere classified |
UTAS Author: | de Graaff, B (Dr Barbara de Graaff) |
UTAS Author: | Yee, KC (Dr Kwang Yee) |
UTAS Author: | Palmer, A (Professor Andrew Palmer) |
ID Code: | 125536 |
Year Published: | 2018 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 3 |
Deposited By: | Menzies Institute for Medical Research |
Deposited On: | 2018-04-22 |
Last Modified: | 2018-12-11 |
Downloads: | 0 |
Repository Staff Only: item control page