Cost-Minimization Analysis of Once-Weekly Versus Thrice-Weekly Epoetin Alfa for Chemotherapy-Related Anemia

Abstract

Total anemia treatment costs over a 16-week period with EPO QW were similar to those of TIW dosing. In the absence of cost differences between regimens, the noneconomic advantages of less-frequent dosing intervals should make weekly dosing increasingly attractive to patients, clinicians, and payers.

Anemia in cancer and critical care patients: Pharmacoeconomic considerations

“…[2][3][4] However, guidelines for making decisions about whether to use these therapies are not yet available because of the heterogeneity of patients, variability in treatment approaches and dosing strategies for erythropoietic agents, and lack of agreement among clinicians about the threshold hemoglobin concentration at which to initiate therapy. Anemia differs from some other medical conditions in that providing no treatment is an option to consider.…”

Assessment of Time and Practice Resources Required to Provide Weekly or Monthly Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Protein Therapy to Chronic Kidney Disease Patients in the Physician Office Setting

“…Currently, little is known about the quantity of medical clinic resources (including time and disposables [e.g., syringes, needles], 37 In-office ESP administration to nondialysis CKD patients for anemia correction consumes a significant amount of time and medical practice resources. With the epidemic of CKD, managing patients on less-frequent ESP dosing schedules may alleviate practice burden by reducing the staff time and supplies related to providing injections in the office.…”