COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF BERACTANT IN THE PREVENTION OF RESPIRATORY-DISTRESS SYNDROME

Beractant, a modified natural bovine surfactant extract, has been used successfully in the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in premature neonates. This analysis investigates the cost effectiven ess of prophylactic surfactant therapy. Resource utilisation data were analysed retrospectively from 210 patients who had participated previ ously in a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. No baselin e differences were apparent between the beractant and sham-air control groups. There was a significant difference in survival favouring the beractant-treated neonates. When the acquisition cost of the study dru g was excluded, there was an incremental, daily cost-savings benefit f or the beractant-treated group compared with the sham-air treated grou p. Costs per case per day were significantly lower for neonates treate d with beractant ($US1442 beractant vs $US1544 sham-air, 1991 dollars p = 0.01). Costs for radiological and diagnostic procedure, respirator y care and drugs (excluding beractant) were all significantly lower. W hen the acquisition cost of beractant was included, the cost to produc e a 28-day survivor was $US3319 less with beractant ($US41 020) than w ith sham-air ($US44 339). Thus, when viewed in terms of costs per year of life saved, beractant compares very favourably with other recently evaluated health technologies.