Search Annals: Advanced search

Rapid Responses to:

Articles: John T. Schousboe, John A. Nyman, Robert L. Kane, and Kristine E. Ensrud Cost-Effectiveness of Alendronate Therapy for Osteopenic Postmenopausal Women Ann Intern Med 2005; 142: 734-741 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

Send comment/rapid response letter

Electronic letters published:

Alendronate therapy and cost

Lonnie B. Hanauer   (6 May 2005)

Alendronate therapy and cost 6 May 2005
Lonnie B. Hanauer, M.D., FACP Send rapid response to journal: Re: Alendronate therapy and cost lb.hanauer{at}verizon.net Lonnie B. Hanauer	To the Editor: I agree that "osteopenia" is a "non-disease" (according to the British Mediacl J.) and that treatment as desired by the pharmaceutical industry and those owning bone density machines is seldom if ever justified, especially when cost-effectiveness is given consideration. Nevertheless, I note that the article by Schousboe, et.al. lists the annual cost of alendronate in 2001 as $842 or about $16 per week, which I assume is for one 35 mg tablet weekly, the dose that Merck advises for treatment of osteopenia. In 2005, my local pharmacy advises that one 70 mg tablet of alendronate costs $23.39. One 35 mg tablet costs $24.39 (they sell fewer of this strength) and one 10 mg tablet, $3.48. Any physician who feels compelled, despite the evidence, to treat "osteopenia" with a 35 mg dose should at least consider telling the patient to cut a 70 mg tablet in half or take three or four 10 mg tablets weekly at a cost of $11-14 tablets. Just because pharmaceutical companies believe physicians are too obtuse to be aware of the cost of drugs, we should occasionally try to not let them get away with it. Lonnie B. Hanauer, M.D., F.A.C.P., 116 Millburn Ave, Millburn, NJ 07041 Conflict of Interest: None declared