To assess the budget impact of the inclusion of quetiapine vs. aripiprazole or olanzapine on the top of standard bipolar disorder treatment scheme with atypical antipsychotics according to Russian healthcare system.

The 1 year budget impact analysis was conducted. Direct expenses associated with bipolar disorder and resulting follow-up costs were calculated using general tariff agreement of Russian obligatory insurance system and official national statistics. For reference, accepted exchange rate was 1 EUR = 40 RUB.

Quetiapine inclusion into the standard bipolar disorder therapy provided cost saving benefits vs. inclusion of aripiprazole or olanzapine in the bipolar disorder standard therapy scheme. Total healthcare costs of bipolar disorder therapy were approximately 396 539 RUB (9 913 EUR) per patient in quetiapine group, 1 023 089 RUB (25 577 EUR) per patient in aripiprazole group and 557 222 RUB (13 931 EUR) per patient in olanzapine group within one year. Treatment of bipolar disorder using standard therapy with quetiapine inclusion compared to one with aripiprazole or olanzapine leads to cost savings of 626 551 RUB (15 664 EUR) or 160 683 RUB (4 017 EUR) per patient-year, respectively.

The results of budget impact analysis illustrate that including quetiapine into the standard therapy of bipolar disorder in comparison with aripiprazole or olanzapine has potential to reduce Russian healthcare system total costs for bipolar disorder treatment.