Abstract
A pharmacoeconomic study was conducted for the treatment of severe internal hemorrhoids comparing hemorrhoidectomy and OC-108 that was newly developed as a local injected drug in Japan. The study used a decision analytic model and Markov model based on the results of clinical trials of OC-108 and hemorrhoidectomy, and the results of examinations for relapses performed in Japan. The perspective of the analysis adopted was that of the payer, and data on medical fees compiled from a survey of medical claims at hemorrhoid specialist medical institutions. The length of hospitalization according to data from clinical trials was used as an indicator of health status, with the two-year period for revision of medical fees adopted as the time horizon. The analysis showed a switch to OC-108 treatment to result in a cost reduction of ¥51,000 in the two-year period in comparison with hemorrhoidectomy. As OC-108 has been shown not only to reduce the length of hospitalization but also to lower the incidence of pain during initial treatment and eliminate symptoms more rapidly, there is an important need for future research to identify the economic benefits of OC-108 and incorporate an evaluation of QOL.
