COST-EFFECTIVE TREATMENTS FOR HEROIN DEPENDENCE
Opiate addiction is a global problem afflicting an estimated 13-22 million people worldwide, more than half of whom live in Asia. Buprenorphine and naltrexone are two treatments used to treat opioid dependence. To aid public health policymaking, we studied the cost-effectiveness of three different interventions for heroin dependence in Malaysia. Our findings suggest that buprenorphine appears to be a cost-effective alternative to naltrexone that might enhance economic productivity and reduce drug use over a longer term.
METHODS
RESULTS
IMPLICATIONS
Our study enrolled 126 patients in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in Malaysia receiving counseling and buprenorphine, naltrexone, or placebo for treatment of heroin dependence. We examined the cost-effectiveness of buprenorphine, naltrexone, and placebo interventions for heroin dependence.
We found buprenorphine to be more cost-effective compared to naltrexone in Malaysia and that it can be used to treat heroin dependence at a cost that can be within reach, especially if drug discounts and foreign aid are made available for this purpose.
This analysis aids policymakers in evaluating the economic feasibility and comparative desirability of different heroin treatment programs – crucial issues in countries with limited resources and significant HIV/AIDS and drug abuse problems.