Retrospective costing of warfarin

Area of Science:

• Pharmacoeconomics
• Health Services Research
• Cardiology

Background:

• Four anticoagulants are available in Ireland for atrial fibrillation stroke prevention.
• Newer anticoagulants offer redundant monitoring, unlike warfarin.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the total cost of warfarin treatment, including monitoring, from both patient and healthcare provider perspectives.
• To highlight the economic burden of warfarin monitoring.

Main Methods:

• Micro-costing methodology was employed.
• Costs were disaggregated from patient and healthcare provider viewpoints.
• A specific Cork hospital setting was used for the analysis.

Main Results:

• Healthcare provider costs per patient per clinic visit were €21.57.
• Patient costs per patient per clinic visit were €48.50.
• Total costs per patient per clinic visit amounted to €70.07.

Conclusions:

• Despite low pharmaceutical costs, warfarin therapy is expensive when monitoring expenses are factored in.
• Monitoring adds a significant economic burden to warfarin treatment.
• This cost analysis provides crucial data for anticoagulant prescribing decisions.