Objectives
Tobramycin inhaled solution (TIS) has been shown to preserve lung function in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients chronically infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. To minimize the emergence of aminoglycoside resistant P. aeruginosa strains, a chronic intermittent treatment of 28 days on and 28 days off TIS is recommended. The objective of this study was to assess TIS utilization modalities in CF patients.
Methods
Patients covered by the provincial public drug reimbursement program who had used TIS (Tobi™) on at least one occasion during the period from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2008 were selected. To be included in the study they needed to be cover by the drug program for at least one year after the initiation of TIS. Patient's characteristics and drug utilization patterns were analyzed. For each patient, the number of 28 days periods for which they received TIS was estimated
Results
There were a total of 72 patients who have use TIS during the study period and were covered by the drug plan for at least one year after the initiation of TIS. The average age of TIS users was 25.6 years, with a similar proportion of males (51.4%) and females (48.6%). A large proportion of these patients (40,3%) had diabetes. In the first year following the initiation of TIS, different patterns of utilization were observed: For 15.3% of these patients, TIS was use as a continuous treatment (42 weeks or more of treatment), 41.7% received 4 cycles or more, 22.2% received 2 or 3 cycles and 20.8% received only 1 cycle of TIS during the year.
Conclusions
In this sample, the utilization of TIS in CF patients was suboptimal. TIS was used as recommended, as a chronic intermittent treatment by less than half of the study population.
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Copyright
© 2011 International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). Published by Elsevier Inc.
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