Aspirin cost-effectiveness
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
Increased use of aspirin for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease "is attractive from a cost-effectiveness perspective," while treatment with Rx clopidogrel "is currently unattractive" due to its high price, according to June 6 NEJM. Jean-Michel Gaspoz, MD, et al., Hopitaux Universitaires, Geneva, estimated incremental cost effectiveness from 2003-2007 of four strategies in CHD patients over 35. Researchers found extension of aspirin therapy from current levels of use to all eligible patients "would have an estimated cost-effectiveness ratio of about $11,000 per quality-adjusted year of life gained." Clopidogrel alone would have incremental cost of over $130,000, researchers say...