Pharmacoeconomic analysis of capecitabine for advanced gastric cancer in Taiwan

15576 Background: Capecitabine combined with cisplatin (XP) is a safe and effective alternative to intravenous 5-fluorouracil plus cisplatin (FP) in previously untreated patients with advanced and metastatic gastric cancer (AGC). The objective of this pharmacoeconomic analysis was to access the cost-effectiveness of XP versus FP for AGC treatment from Taiwan societal perspective. Methods: A cost-minimization analysis was undertaken by applying clinical outcomes and medical resource utilization (MRU) retrieved from phase III ML17032 study. Direct medical costs associated with trial-based MRU were based on Taiwan's National Health Insurance fee schedule for 2007. Costs associated with intravenous chemotherapy administration and adverse event (AE) management were estimated by an expert panel survey conducted among 12 oncologists. From a societal perspective, direct non-medical and indirect costs borne by patients, such as travel and time costs, were also considered. One-way sensitivity analyses were performe...