Evaluating the efficiency of treatment in the allergic rhinitis market

In the present era of increasing health care expenditures, economic comparisons of therapeutic products play an important role in ensuring that limited health care resources are used appropriately.

To provide a model for the comparative analysis of alternative treatments, in terms of both cost and efficacy, in allergic rhinitis that will provide decision makers in a managed care environment an additional tool to help maximize health care benefit per dollar spent. We also review current treatments in the allergic rhinitis market and their impact on cost, availability, and utilization.

Efficacy estimates were derived from published reviews, meta-analyses, and guidelines, and cost data are based on average wholesale prices. Our results indicate that when cost and efficacy data are plotted on a cost-effectiveness plane, the intranasal corticosteroids appear to be the most efficient use of health care resources. Moreover, budesonide aqueous nasal spray was found to be the most efficient treatment for allergic rhinitis when compared with 3 other leading intranasal corticosteroids used at their recommended starting doses, the less-sedating/nonsedating antihistamines, and a leukotriene receptor antagonist.

Evaluating products on an efficiency frontier platform, which integrates both the effectiveness and cost of products, will allow health plan decision makers to ensure the appropriate allocation of health care resources.