Pharmacoeconomic Analysis of Antiretroviral Regimens Used in the Federal Capital Territory HIV Programme

Background: The selection of antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens has significant pharmacoeconomic implications for both national HIV programmes and individual patients. With the introduction of newer agents such as dolutegravir-based regimens, cost-effectiveness analyses are essential to guide formulary decisions. This study performed a pharmacoeconomic analysis of ART regimens used in the Federal Capital Territory HIV programme. Methods: A cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted using retrospective programme data from three antiretroviral therapy clinics in Abuja over a 24-month period. Clinical outcomes including viral load suppression at 12 months, CD4 count recovery, and adverse event rates were compared across three first-line regimen categories. Direct medication costs and healthcare utilisation costs were quantified from programme records. Results: Dolutegravir-based regimens demonstrated superior viral suppression rates (89%) compared to efavirenz-based regimens (74%) at comparable cost differentials when adverse event management costs were included. Nevirapine-based regimens had the highest total care cost per patient when substitution and ADR treatment costs were factored in. Conclusion: Dolutegravir-based regimens offer superior cost-effectiveness in the FCT HIV programme context. National formulary guidance should reflect these pharmacoeconomic findings to optimise resource allocation. Keywords: pharmacoeconomics, antiretroviral therapy, dolutegravir, FCT, cost-effectiveness