Aim: To conduct an economic analysis of two different suramin regimens (the new kinetically optimized 4-dose regimen, KOR and the standard WHO 6-dose regimen) for the treatment of onchocerciasis. Methods: Ten patients were treated with each regimen in a hospital-based clinical study, with follow-up visits for up to one year afterwards. Results: The cost analysis showed that the total cost (sum of providers' and consumers' financial and non-financial costs) of using the KOR and standard regimens was US$12907.6 and US$15665.6, respectively. The WHO regimen had higher costs except in the management of adverse events where it was US$150.00 against US$337.50 for the KOR, as more adverse events were recorded for the KOR. Pre- and post-dosing investigations contributed the greatest amount of the provider's cost. Conclusion: Although the KOR is cheaper than the standard regimen, its expense, added to the toxicity of suramin and the inconvenience of repeated intravenous infusion, makes large-scale mass chemotherapy impracticable. These failings of suramin underscore the need to develop a safe, effective and affordable macrofilaricide. Key Words: Cost analysis, Suramin, Onchocerciasis treatment Journal of College of Medicine 2005: 9(2): 121-124
