Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis cost-effectiveness of therapy

Treatment of tuberculosis must be analysed for relative cost effectiveness of inpatient and outpatient models of care as it will benefit regions where tuberculosis is highly prevalent. Unless there is severe complications it is highly recommended to treat the TB patient in ambulatory care rather than inpatient services.^[1]

• According to WHO, tuberculosis takes an annual economic toll of around US$12 billion dollars worldwide. 3-4 months of work time are lot due to tuberculosis.
• The average cost of treating a person with TB disease increases with greater resistance.
• Direct costs (in 2010 U.S. dollars) average from $17,000 to treat drug-susceptible TB to $430,000 to treat the most drug-resistant form of the disease (XDR TB). ^[2]

• When including productivity losses (e.g., lost income) experienced by patients while undergoing treatment, costs are even higher.^[2]

• The cost of MDR-TB treatment is upto 100 times more expensive than fully sensitive patients.^[3]

• DOTS-Plus is a cost effective approach in areas of assumed poor compliance.

• Reduced price second line drugs must be given to the programs following the guidelines of “Green Light Committee”. This could save upto 57.5% of overall budget for TB control. ^[4]

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