Abstract

Objective

Uncontrolled hypertension (HTN) results in strokes, myocardial infarction (MI), and other complications, which are the leading cause of disability, death, and severe economic consequence. We conducted an economic evaluation to determine the costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) associated with amlodipine (Norvasc) and the angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) in preventing stroke and MI among Chinese HTN patients.

Methods

A cost-utility analysis was conducted from the third-party payer perspective. A Markov model was constructed to estimate 5-year costs and health consequences of amlodipine and valsartan. Effectiveness data were based on a published meta-analysis. Utility data were retrieved from the published literature. Costs of MI were retrieved from China Health Statistics Yearbook. Costs of stroke were obtained from retrospective chart review and follow-up interviews in Chinese tertiary hospitals. Costs included costs of drugs, direct medical costs of HTN management, stroke/MI treatment, and follow-up management. Discounting rate used for costs and QALYs was 3%.

Results

Total direct medical and drug costs of amlodipine and valsartan (ARB) users were ¥111,731,716 and ¥132,058,611, respectively; total QALYs of amlodipine and valsartan users were 30,648.5 and 30,520.8, respectively. Amlodipine is dominant with lower costs and higher QALYs. This demonstrated that compared with valsartan, amlodipine is a cost-saving therapy with better QALY outcome. When irbesartan data were used in the comparison, the magnitude of cost saving changed but the overall conclusion remained the same.

Conclusion

Amlodipine is a cost-saving therapy compared with ARBs in preventing stroke and MI for Chinese HTN patients.