The cost-utility of the rivastigmine transdermal patch in the management of patients with moderate Alzheimer's disease in the US

A novel rivastigmine transdermal patch has recently been approved in the US for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD). The current objective was to model the incremental cost-utility of the rivastigmine patch versus best supportive care (BSC; no active treatment) in the management of AD, from the perspective of a US payer. The incremental costs and number of institutional days avoided with the rivastigmine patch versus BSC over 5 years were calculated using an economic model. Changes in Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores over a 5-year period were used as a meas…