Direct Cost of Depression: Analysis of Treatment Costs of Paroxetine versus Imipramine in Canada

Objective To assess the potential economic impact of new and more expensive antidepressants on the overall cost of treatment using cost-effectiveness analysis. Method For this analysis, a computerized decision tree of clinical practice was developed to model the 12-month treatment of moderate to severe depression in Canada. To complete the model, data were obtained from physician panels, the Ontario Ministry of Health, and clinical comparative...