[Economic analysis of secondary prevention of coronary heart disease with simvastatin (Zocor) in Germany].

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery disease (CAD) has enormous financial, medical, as well as economical consequences in Germany. Important risk factors include raised total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol blood levels. The 4S Study has demonstrated the clinical effectiveness in the secondary prevention of CAD.

METHOD

Based on the health economics data of this study, we undertook a cost-effectiveness analysis of the secondary prevention of CAD with simvastatin in Germany.

RESULTS

On average, the costs per life year gained were DM 18,500.-(sensitivity analysis: DM 9,340.- to DM 29,374.-). The consequences of this result are discussed.

CONCLUSION

It is necessary from a health economists' point of view to assess the efficiency of a clinically effective measure in a standardised manner. This permits a comparison of efficiency with other, competing forms of health care, which is necessary in areas like CAD where there are different approaches to combat the disease. Simvastatin is highly efficacious in the secondary prevention of CAD in a defined patient population and, in comparison to other interventions in this area, it also proves to be cost-efficient.