How much are patients willing to pay for an earlier alleviation of influenza?

Abstract

Background: The willingness-to-pay (WTP) method, i.e. the maximum amount of money an individual is willing to pay for a health intervention, is increasingly used for measuring health benefits. We studied how much individuals were willing to pay for an earlier alleviation of influenza symptoms. Methods: 527 household members were interviewed by telephone as a part of a prospective household contact study in January 2000 in France. Scenarios describing drug treatment and influenza alleviation varied with the respondent, depending on the age of the first household (index) case of influenza-like illness (child or adult) and the status of the respondent (index-case or not). A double-bounded dichotomous choice method was used for valuation, with health benefits (1 or 3 days without influenza) and bids selected randomly. Results: Median WTP was FF 209 (95%CI: 180–241) for 1 day and FF 340 (95%CI: 293–389) for 3 days without influenza in adults, with no difference whether the respondent was the index-case or not. Median WTP was FF 334 (95% CI: 237–499) for 1 day and FF 548 (95% CI: 389–805) for 3 days without influenza in children. Conclusions: These results could be used in a cost-benefit analysis as valuation of health benefits linked with earlier alleviation of influenza symptoms.