HYCAT cost-effectiveness study by Hillman compares total costs of drug treatment to placebo.

HYCAT COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS OF HYTRIN v. PLACEBO was conducted by Alan Hillman, MD, University of Pennsylvania, to compare direct medical costs of terazosin and placebo in the 2,084-patient Hytrin Community Assessment Trial. Hillman looked at costs from hospitalizations, emergency care, outpatient/ambulatory care and medication use. Costs were similar for placebo- and Hytrin-treated patients: the added drug costs for the active ingredient were balanced by reduced costs from hospitalization and emergency care. Costs of services were provided from the perspective of a managed care organization and derived from a database of large employers health care claims representing 7.2 mil. insured individuals nationwide.