A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Costs of multidrug-resistant TB treatment in Finland and Estonia affected by the 2019 WHO guidelines
Authors: Feuth Thijs, Patovirta Riitta Liisa, Grierson Sirkku, Danilovitš, Manfred, Viiklepp Piret, Aaltonen Hanna K, Vauhkonen Mikko, Pehme Lea, Vasankari Tuula
Publisher: INT UNION AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS LUNG DISEASE (I U A T L D)
Publication year: 2021
Journal: International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
Journal name in source: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TUBERCULOSIS AND LUNG DISEASE
Journal acronym: INT J TUBERC LUNG D
Volume: 25
Issue: 7
First page : 554
Last page: 559
Number of pages: 7
ISSN: 1027-3719
eISSN: 1815-8439
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5588/ijtld.20.0892
BACKGROUND: Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) is a growing problem in the effort to end the global TB epidemic. In 2019, the WHO adopted a new standardised regiment for MDR-TB, consisting of only oral medications.
METHODS: We estimated the impact of the new guidelines on the costs of TB treatment in Estonia and Finland. For both countries, the costs of the two most common new drug regimens were calculated, including drug costs, as well as care-and monitoring-related costs.
RESULTS: In Turku, Finland, treatment costs with the old regimen were €178,714; this could either increase by 10% or decrease by 18%, depending on the duration of bedaquiline use (6 months vs. 20 months). In Estonia, treatment costs with the old regimen were €33,664, whereas the new regimens were associated with a 40% increase in overall costs.
CONCLUSIONS: The 2019 WHO guidelines have led to significant changes in the costs of MDR-TB treatment in Finland and Estonia. These changes depend mostly on the drug regimen administered and on care-related practices, with important differences between countries and even within the same country due to local practices.
