The Development of Anti-Retroviral Therapy in Africa (DART) trial. Cost effectiveness analysis of routine laboratory or clinically driven strategies for monitoring anti-retroviral therapy in Uganda and Zimbabwe.

From:
Department for International Development
Published
1 January 2009
Country:
Uganda, Zimbabwe
Document Type:
Conference Paper
Theme:
Health
Authors:
Gilks, C.F.

Abstract

The analysis concluded that:

  • Routine laboratory monitoring for toxicity or efficacy (using CD4 count testing) is a key cost driver for ART programmes
  • Costs need to be weighed against benefits in resource allocation
  • Routine toxicity monitoring is particularly expensive, was without benefit and should be re-appraised by policy makers
  • Routine 12-weekly CD4 monitoring was not cost effective
  • Sensitivity analysis suggests the cost of a CD4 count needs to drop below $3.80 to be cost effective at a 12-weekly frequency from the 2nd year on ART

Citation

Presented at the 5th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention, Cape Town, South Africa, 19-22 July 2009, 16 pp.

The Development of Anti-Retroviral Therapy in Africa (DART) trial. Cost effectiveness analysis of routine laboratory or clinically driven strategies for monitoring anti-retroviral therapy in Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Published 1 January 2009
Contents