Cocaine medications, cocaine consumption and societal costs

PharmacoEconomics
W S Cartwright

Abstract

To estimate the benefits of reduced cocaine consumption in terms of reduced societal costs resulting from the introduction of a medication for cocaine dependence with a small incremental treatment effect. Cost-benefit analysis is applied to study the implications of reduced cocaine consumption. A modelling approach extrapolates the magnitude of treatment effects. Epidemiological data on cocaine use and consumption as well as economic methods of cost-benefit analysis are utilised. Estimates of societal costs associated with heavy users of cocaine, who are most likely addicted and in need of immediate treatment, are developed using 1995 data. In the first analysis, a postulated 1% reduction in consumption of cocaine among heavy users is examined to approximate a small treatment effect, resulting in a minimal consumption benefit. It is estimated that such a reduction would be valued at $US259 million. The cost-benefit analysis indicated that a cocaine medication with a small treatment effect (10 percentage point increase in abstinence rates) would result in a benefit to cost ratio in the range of 1.58 to 5.79, depending on prescribing behaviour and type of patient. Such estimates of the benefits of these small treatment effects ar...Continue Reading

References

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Citations

Sep 13, 2012·Neuropsychopharmacology : Official Publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology·Sietse Jonkman, Paul J Kenny
Mar 18, 2005·Harm Reduction Journal·Edward J MillsJon O Ebbert
Mar 1, 2006·Expert Opinion on Emerging Drugs·Mehmet Sofuoglu, Thomas R Kosten
Oct 28, 2011·Drug and Alcohol Dependence·P T HarrellW W Latimer
Mar 5, 2016·Psychopharmacology·William W StoopsCraig R Rush
Jun 24, 2010·Drug and Alcohol Dependence·Ponnada A NarayanaF Gerard Moeller
Jan 26, 2017·Human Psychopharmacology·Justin C StricklandWilliam W Stoops
Nov 27, 2014·Expert Opinion on Emerging Drugs·Daryl ShorterThomas R Kosten

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