Cost-effectiveness considerations for managed care systems: treating depression in primary care

Area of Science:

• Health economics
• Primary care medicine
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Managed care systems influence treatment decisions in primary care.
• Cost-effectiveness is a key consideration for health maintenance organizations (HMOs).
• Depression management in primary care requires efficient and affordable strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of treating depression in primary care within an HMO setting.
• To compare the costs associated with paroxetine versus imipramine for depression management.
• To present a simplified treatment protocol and cost calculation model.

Main Methods:

• A cost-effectiveness model was developed for primary care depression treatment.
• Paroxetine and imipramine were compared based on acquisition and labor costs.
• A simplified treatment protocol was used for cost calculations.

Main Results:

• The total costs of treating depression with paroxetine were found to be approximately equal to those with imipramine.
• Higher acquisition costs for paroxetine were balanced by reduced labor costs.
• The study provides a framework for cost analysis in primary care pharmacotherapy.

Conclusions:

• Paroxetine and imipramine represent comparable cost-effective options for depression management in primary care under HMOs.
• Healthcare providers should consider both drug acquisition and labor costs when selecting antidepressants.
• This analysis supports informed decision-making for cost-conscious depression treatment strategies.