COST ASSESSMENT OF JOSAMYCIN DISPERSIBLE TABLETS USED IN SHORT-TERM TREATMENT OF ACUTE BRONCHITIS

A multicenter, randomised, open-label, comparative trial was carried o ut in general community practice. It had for aim to demonstrate the eq uivalence of two therapeutic regimens (dispersible tablets of josamyci n, for 5 days, versus azithromycin for 5 days). After demonstration of the equivalence, a complementary economic analysis was undertaken. Th e initial strategy was to reduce costs on the basis of similar treatme nt duration (i.e., 5 days). Thus, it was necessary to assess which was the cheapest of the 2 regimens. The average cost for Health Insurance (in terms of health care) was 221 FF. in the josamycin group and 258 FF. in the azithromycin group, for a 5-day treatment (p < 0.05). The o bserved costs of complementary prescriptions were not significantly di fferent for one antibiotic regimen to the other. This means that the o nly relevant analysis to be considered was that of the initial cost, i .e., that of the antibiotic prescription. The 5 day josamycin treatmen t (87.20 FF.) was cheaper than the 5 day azithromycin treatment (120.3 0 FF.). Today, this type of cost assessment has become a key element i n choosing antibiotherapy for common infections.