Pharmacoeconomic model to evaluate new influenza treatments

Zanamivir and oseltamivir are two agents of a new class of drugs - neuraminidase inhibitors - to receive FDA approval for the treatment of influenza. Because the two agents are more expensive yet have a more favorable side effect profile than the older treatments amantadine and rimantidine, coverage decisions can be difficult to make. This month's column presents a decision-analytic model of influenza treatments, using zanamivir as the main example. This approach is helpful for health care systems that wish to assess clinical and economic outcomes to make informed decisions between competing products.