Objective, This study was undertaken to evaluate trends in the use of
rabies postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) before, during, and following an
epidemic of raccoon rabies in Massachusetts. Methods. The authors rev
iewed initiation of PEP as reported to the Massachusetts Department of
Public Health (MDPH) from August 1994 to December 1995 and surveyed h
ospital pharmacies to determine the number of vials of Human Rabies Im
mune Globulin (HRIG) dispensed from 1991 through 1995 and charges to p
atients per vial. Results, PEP use increased dramatically, from 1.7 pe
r 100,000 population in 1991 (pre-epidemic) to 45 per 100,000 in 1995
(after the first stages of the epidemic), The median costs per patient
for biologics was $1646 (range: $632-$3435). Including physician and
emergency room charges, per-patient median costs were $2376 (range: $1
038-$4447), Total health care charges for PEP in Massachusetts in 1995
were estimated at $2.4 million to $6.4 million, Conclusions. Given th
e rapid increase in use of PEP, further studies should be undertaken t
o determine the appropriateness of use, and other alternatives, such a
s oral wildlife vaccines, should be considered.