The recent introduction of Synagis gives pediatric health care workers a fairly effective treatment to protect high risk infants from developing a lower respiratory tract infection due to RSV. Synagis is also less expensive overall when compared to Respigam with the savings due to the ability to provide this medication on an outpatient basis as well as a marked decrease in administration cost. However, it is still a very expensive preventative medication with the average cost for a 1 ml vial being approximately $925 and a winters worth of therapy ranging from $6,000 to $12,000 compared to Respigam at $15,000 to $30,000 per winter. Careful selection of the appropriate candidate is important to maximize this medications effectiveness in preventing serious illness in a cost effective manner.

References

1. Committee on Infectious Diseases and Committee on Fetus and Newborn. American Academy of Pediatrics: Prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections: Indications for the Use of Palivizumab and Update on the Use of RSV-IGIV. Pediatrics Vol. 102 No. 5 November 1998, pp. 1211-1216. Abstract

Respigam Respiratory Syncytial Virus Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) package insert

Synagis (palivizumab) package insert

Glossary

CLD

Chronic Lung Disease, formerly known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

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