Importance of the field: The recent increase in the use of antineoplastic and immune suppressive agents and the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, prosthetic interventions, organ transplants and more aggressive surgery have been related to a greater prevalence of invasive fungal infections (IFI). Over the past few years, several new antifungal therapies have become available for these patients. Pharmacoeconomic data can play a useful role in comparing the relative benefits of treatment.
Areas covered in this review: This review summarizes all the available evidence regarding the pharmacoeconomics of voriconazole. A systematic review of pharmacoeconomic analyses through a non-restricted literature search was conducted (until May 2009).
What the reader will gain: The reader will gain a greater understanding of the pharmacoeconomics role of voriconazole.
Take home message: The majority of economic analyses have shown that voriconazole is a more cost-effective alternative in the treatment of invasive fungal infections than the antifungal drugs with which it was compared.