A COMPARISON OF THE COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF SERTRALINE VERSUS TRICYCLICANTIDEPRESSANTS IN PRIMARY-CARE

There has been considerable debate concerning the cost-effectiveness o f selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) versus tricyclic an tidepressants (TCAs) thus far using crude prescription price compariso ns or reductionist decision-analytic models. This paper employs a retr ospective quasi-experimental design where data on service utilisation, use of medication and informal care were collected for two groups of patients in general practice settings. The mean cost of treatment was marginally greater for those people receiving TCA medication due to gr eater use of psychiatric services. Factors such as age, previous depre ssion and concomitant physical illness are all associated with greater treatment costs. Further analysis using a prospective design is recom mended.