We all share in the responsibility to hold down healthcare costs when we can without compromising the quality of care. Phototherapy is effective and safer than the new biologic drugs. It is also 75% to 85% less costly!
The chart below provides a cost comparison. Phototherapy is effective, safer, and a fraction of the cost. Should phototherapy be your option of choice?
| Cost of Phototherapy, Systemic Therapy, and Biologic Therapy*22 |
Annual Per Patient Cost |
Annual Cost Per Successful Treatment** |
| Phototherapy | ||
| UVB | $3600 | $5100 |
| UVA | $4600 | $5700 |
| Systemic Therapy | ||
| Cyclosporine | $6500 – $10,000 | $14,000 |
| Methotrexate | $1300 – $3300 | $5400 |
| Acitretin | $5200 | $17,300 |
| Biologic Therapy | ||
| Infliximab | $18,000 | $22,500 |
| Alefacept | $16,000-$20,000 | $40,600 |
| Efalizumab | NA | NA |
| Etanercept | $16,900 – $33,000 | $35,900 |
| *PUVA indicated psoralen and UVA: NA, not available Data are from Feldman SR et al. **Refers to the monies expended on all patients by the healthcare system for a given therapy divided by the number of patients with a successful outcome |
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Information presented is taken from an article authored by John Koo, M.D. entitled Efficacy of PUVA Phototherapy Compared With Biologics, published in Cosmetic Dermatology, Vol. 17 No. 11 S3, Nov. 2004.
Presented in part at the American Academy of Dermatology meeting, New York, New York, July 28- Aug. 1, 2004.
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Last Revision Date: 07/31/2017
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