Adding formoterol to budesonide in moderate asthma: health economic results from the FACET study

This is a critical abstract of an economic evaluation that meets the criteria for inclusion on NHS EED. Each abstract contains a brief summary of the methods, the results and conclusions followed by a detailed critical assessment on the reliability of the study and the conclusions drawn. In general, the higher costs of adding formoterol to budesonide in patients with persistent asthma were partially or totally offset by a reduction in the use of health care services, owing to the higher efficacy of formoterol. In Sweden and Spain (low-dose budesonide), the extra cost of adding formoterol was more than offset. In the UK and Spain (high-dose budesonide), the extra cost of formoterol was only partially offset. The adoption of a societal perspective when adding formoterol generated a potential for net savings.