Pharmacoeconomics evaluation of morphine, MS contin and oxycodone in the treatment of cancer pain.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze cost-effectiveness of morphine, MS contin and oxycodone in the treatment of cancer pain, providing guidance for rational drug use in the clinic. METHODS: Confirmed by histology, a total of 171 patients with various cancers who required analgesic treatment were selected and divided into 3 groups, 57 cases for each group, given morphine, MS contin and oxycodone, respectively. If there appeared a poor short-term effect or aggravated sudden pain during the treatment, a short-acting morphine injection was given and adverse reactions were processed by symptomatic treatment. The pain relief rate and adverse reactions of groups were observed and pharmacoeconomics evaluation was undertaken. RESULTS: The pain relief rates with morphine, MS contin and oxycodone were 89.5%(51/57), 91.2%(52/57) and 93.0%(53/57), respectively, with no difference samong groups (χ2=4.4489, P=0.6162). The occurrence rates of adverse reactions were 59.7%(34/57), 54.4%(31/57) and 43.9%(25/57), again with no significant variation (P>0.05). The ratios of cost-effectiveness (C/E) for the 3 groups were 14.6±7.21, 15.0±7.44 and 16.1±8.10. When the price of 3 kinds of analgesics was reduced by 10%, the ratios of cost-effectiveness were 12.2±6.53, (13.4±6.08 and 14.5±6.74 but there was no differences when compared with before the price adjustment (t=1.86, P=0.0651; t=1.30, P=0.1948; t=1.17, P=0.2453). CONCLUSION: Morphine, MS contin and oxycodone give similar pain relief and adverse reaction rates but of all, morphine is the preferred drug for the treatment of cancer pain from the perspective of pharmacoeconomics.