A cost-effectiveness analysis of a community pharmacist-based smoking cessation programme in Thailand.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of a structured community pharmacist-based smoking cessation programme compared with usual care.

DESIGN

A cost-effectiveness study using a healthcare system perspective Population: Two simulated cohorts of smokers: male and female aged 40, 50 and 60 years who regularly smoke 10-20 cigarettes per day. Intervention and comparator: A structured community pharmacist-based smoking cessation (CPSC) programme compared to usual care.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Cost per life year gained (LYG) attributable to the smoking cessation programme.

RESULTS

The CPSC programme results in cost savings of 17,503.53 baht ( pound250; euro325; $500) to the health system and life year gains of 0.18 years for men and; costs savings of 21,499.75 baht ( pound307; euro399; $614) and life year gains of 0.24 years for women. A series of sensitivity analyses demonstrate that both cost savings and life year gains are sensitive to variations in the discount rate and the long-term smoking quit rate associated with the intervention.

CONCLUSION

From the perspective of the health system, the CPSC programme yields cost savings and life year gains. This finding provides important information for health policy decision-makers when determining the magnitude of resources to be allocated to smoking cessation service in community pharmacy.