Cost Analysis and Rational Use of Anti-Glaucoma Therapy in a Tertiary Hospital in Ghana.

Ghana Korle-Bu anti-glaucoma therapy cost analysis rational drug use

Journal

ClinicoEconomics and outcomes research : CEOR
ISSN: 1178-6981
Titre abrégé: Clinicoecon Outcomes Res
Pays: New Zealand
ID NLM: 101560564

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
2021
Historique:
received: 01 04 2021
accepted: 28 05 2021
entrez: 9 7 2021
pubmed: 10 7 2021
medline: 10 7 2021
Statut: epublish

Résumé

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. In Ghana, 19.4% of all blindness recorded is due to glaucoma. Reducing intraocular pressure medically (using eye drops) is the evidence-based therapeutic option. To determine the rational use and undertake cost analysis of anti-glaucoma drugs among patients attending clinic at the Lions International Eye Centre (LIEC), Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. In this cross-sectional study, we reviewed all prescriptions presented to the pharmacy unit from 01/12/2015 to 31/03/2016. The dispensed drops were classified, and all anti-glaucoma drugs were identified. This was followed by cost analysis. A total of 588 prescriptions were captured, 27.3% (161/588) contained an anti-glaucoma medication. The mean number of anti-glaucoma medications was 1.71 of which 52.7% was prescribed to females. Prostaglandin analogs (PGA) were the most prescribed (37% (102/276)), followed by beta blockers (25.4% (70/276)), carbonic anhydrase group of medicines (16.3% (45/276)), combined beta blockers (11.2% (31/276)), alpha agonists (8.7% (24/276)) and miotics (1.4% (4/276)). The median (IQR) cost of anti-glaucoma therapy per prescription per month was GHC 65.00 (GHC38.5-GHC140) about [US$16.25 (US$ 9.6-US$35)]. Azopt (Brimonidine) was the most expensive with daily treatment cost of GHC 5.8 (about US$ 1.45), whilst the least expensive drug with a daily treatment cost of GHC 0.14 (about US$ 0.035) was timolol eye drops. Prostaglandin analogs though expensive remain the most preferred treatment for managing glaucoma at the Korle-Bu Eye Centre in Ghana. This may adversely affect treatment among the poor since prostaglandins analogs are currently not covered by insurance.

Identifiants

pubmed: 34239312
doi: 10.2147/CEOR.S311058
pii: 311058
pmc: PMC8259729
doi:

Types de publication

Journal Article

Langues

eng

Pagination

619-627

Informations de copyright

© 2021 Ofei-Palm et al.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

The authors of this study have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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Auteurs

Charles Nii Kwade Ofei-Palm (CNK)

Lions International Eye Centre (LIEC), Pharmacy Unit, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.

Naa Naamuah Tagoe (NN)

Lions International Eye Centre (LIEC), Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.

Dong Jatoe (D)

Lions International Eye Centre (LIEC), Pharmacy Unit, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.

Angela Agyare (A)

Lions International Eye Centre (LIEC), Pharmacy Unit, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.

Daniel Ankrah (D)

Pharmacy Department, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.

Classifications MeSH