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Pharmacoeconomic Evaluation of Pantoprazole and Pantoprazole Plus Domperidone in Treatment of Patients with GERD
IC01-IC05
Correspondence
Dr. Yogita Surendra Karandikar,
3, Nayananand Society, Anand Nagar, Sinhgad Road, Pune-51, Maharashtra, India.
E-mail: karandikar_yogita@yahoo.com
Introduction: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a common public health problem causing increased economic burden and decreased quality of life. Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) and prokinetics are the frequently used medications. The efficacy and safety of combined prokinetic and PPI therapy for GERD remains controversial.
Aim: The study was conducted to perform pharmacoeconomic evaluation of Pantoprazole and Pantoprazole plus Domperidone in the management of GERD which helps to provide quality care within limited financial resources.
Materials and Methods: This RCT was conducted on 80 patients suffering from GERD. These patients were randomly divided into two groups; Pantoprazole (40 mg once daily) and, Pantoprazole plus Domperidone (40 mg+30 mg once daily), respectively. The clinical outcomes were observed and analysed after two weeks of treatment. Cost-effectiveness ratio for pantoprazole and pantoprazole plus Domperidone was calculated by dividing the cost of treatment by its clinical outcome that is, Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of GERD (FSSG) score. Cost minimization analysis was done in accordance with the cost of both drugs available in market (over the counter) and Hospital pharmacy. All the data was recorded in the entry form and presented as mean±SEM/SD for numerical data, and proportion (%) for the categorical data. In all tests mean values of test groups (A and B) compared with Student's paired t-test.
Results: After two weeks of treatment, the total improvement rate was found to be higher in Pantoprazole plus Domperidone group than in Pantoprazole group (improvement score 12.93 vs 11.32 but statistically not significant, p-0.21). But Pantoprazole was found to be more cost effective than Pantoprazole plus Domperidone group (ACER 9.7 vs 11.2). Cost minimisation analysis showed that Pantoprazole is the most economical medicine in hospital pharmacy as well as available in market.
Conclusion: Pantoprazole monotherapy is more cost effective than combination of Pantoprazole with Domperidone in GERD patients. Substitution by Pantoprazole alone would be expected to produce cost savings. A combination should be preferred for PPI resistant GERD, patients with nausea and vomiting, in the subgroup of severely symptomatic patients.