Nikseresht A (MD), Izadi S * (MD), Rahimi jaberi A (MD)

  Department of Neurology, Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

  Received: 17 Jan 2011, Accepted: 4 Oct 2011

  Abstract

  Introduction: Multiple Sclerosis is an inflammatory and demyelinating disease of central nervous system. It is the second most common cause of disability in young adults after trauma. Nowadays, Beta- Interferons are used as the best choice of disease modifying therapy in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. There is a remarkable difference in the uses of these medications between developed and developing countries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rate and costs of treatment with Beta-Interferon in patients with MS in Fars Province.

  Methods: In a descriptive study, all patients who were registered in Shiraz multiple sclerosis society, and were treated with Beta-Interferon (confirmed by the MS Committee of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences) were recruited to the study.

  Results: A total of 1791 patients had received Beta-Interferon. The most and the least types of the medications used by the patients were Cinovex (28%) and Resigen (2.9), respectively. Many patients (No=587 33.1%) used Iranian brand of interferon (Cinovex and Recigen) and 1185 patients (67.9%) used medications made in other countries. Prescription of Iranian brands of medications was considerably increased from 2006 to 2010. The annual costs of treatment with Beta-interferon were approximately 126 milliard Rials.

  Conclusion: A Majority of the MS patients used Beta-Interferon in Fars Province. In recent years, usage of Iranian brand of beta interferon has been largely increased. Despite this fact, more than half of Iranian patients received Beta-Interferons which were made in other countries. Annual cost of these medications was high (more than 126 milliard Rials) in Fars province.

  Key words: M ultiple Sclerosis, Beta-Interferon, costs

  Please cite this article as follows:

  Nikseresht A, Izadi S, Rahimi jaberi A. Usage and Costs of Treatment with Beta Interferon among Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Fars province. Hakim Research Journal 2011 14(3): 159- 164.

  * Corresponding Author: Neurology department, Namazi hospital, Shiraz. Postal code: 7192613111. Tel & Fax: +98- 711- 6121065. E-mail: izadisad@yahoo.com