Abstract
Although a generic formulation of azathioprine (AZA) has been available since 1996,
safety, efficacy and pharmacoeconomic implications following conversion from Imuran
(AZA) to generic AZA in heart-transplant patients remains to be determined. A retrospective,
safety and efficacy assessment, in addition to a cost comparison, was performed in
30 heart-transplant patients who had been switched from Imuran to generic AZA. In
heart-transplant patients converted from Imuran to generic AZA, no compromise in safety
and efficacy, as measured by white blood cell (WBC) count, infections, rejections,
malignancies, and hospitalizations was observed. Generic substitution of Imuran results
in an annual cost savings of $318 per patient.
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References
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
July 3,
2000
Received:
March 15,
2000
Identification
Copyright
© 2001 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
