Cost comparison of prostaglandin analogues: a Canadian population-based analysis

Glaucoma is a fairly common disease, however, little is known about the costs associated with prostaglandin analogues (PAs). The costs between the three available PAs (Lumigan (bimatoprost), Xalatan (latanoprost) and Travatan (travoprost)) were compared as monotherapy and when adjunctive therapy was used.

From the Québec drug claims database, all patients who used these drugs for 1 full year were identified. From the Ministry of Health (MoH) perspective, the average cost for all reimbursed costs (drug costs and pharmacist fees) were calculated. Those costs plus the patient out-of-pocket copayments were used for the payer + user (PU) perspective.

Data from 4,653 patients were analysed (3,606 on monotherapy and 1,047 on combination treatment with adjunctive therapy), 59.7% were females, and the average age was 72.6 +/- 10.4 years. MoH perspective costs were $410 +/- $167 for bimatoprost, $381 +/- $145 for latanoprost and $298 +/- $121 for travoprost (all differences p<0.001), for patients on monotherapy. Costs of combination treatment with adjunctive therapy were $786 +/- $416, $686 +/- $313, and $623 +/- $521, respectively (travoprost significantly lower than each of the other two p<0.001, others=not significant). Results from the PU perspective were comparable.

Travoprost had the lowest cost, both as monotherapy and in conjunction with other glaucoma treatments. Further comparative pharmacoeconomic evaluation is warranted.