Pharmacopsychiatry 2012; 45 - A16
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1326759

The frequency and cost comparison of haloperidol prescriptions – haloperidol data analysis from therapeutic drug monitoring 2006–2011

MR Onuoha 1, E Haen 1
  • 1Clinical Pharmacology/Psychopharmacology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany

Introduction: The use of less expensive medications does not always coincide with a cost effective therapy. Therefore, an effective cost reduction depends not only in reducing the price of the medication, but also in reducing the frequency of prescriptions due to inappropriate treatment. The importance of haloperidol therapeutic drug monitoring lies in the actuation of an Effective-Cost-Therapy for the health enhancement of individual patients. Materials and Method: Specification of haloperidol major indications and price were derived from the information given in the Rote Liste (2006–2011) by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The major indications which were considered during the calculations were grouped according to their dosages. The mean of the lowest and the highest prices were multiplied with the number of prescriptions each year, which resulted in the total yearly average expenditures. Results: There was an insignificant decline in the frequency of prescription between 2007 (62) and 2008 (60). 39 haloperidol prescriptions were documented in 2006. 29.01% of the price was calculated by the therapy of maniform syndrome. Between the year 2010 and 2011, there was a price reduction at 9.69%. This reduction however, resulted in only 2.65% prescription price decrease. The least price at 4.47% was registered by the year 2006 and the highest price at 17.12% was documented by 2010. Conclusion: The haloperidol maintenance dosage differs according to different respective indications such as maniform syndrome, acute and chronic psychosis and psychomotor agitation. This work shows the importance of considering specified indications while executing a cost-management project on haloperidol.