Bisphosphonates for treating osteoporosis

Technology appraisal guidance
Reference number: TA464
Published: 09 August 2017
Last updated: 08 July 2019

2 The technologies

2.1 The technologies being considered in this appraisal can be used at any point in the treatment pathway, within their marketing authorisations. Costs may vary in different settings because of negotiated procurement discounts.

Drug, dosage form and dosage	Indication	Price
Alendronic acid (generic) tablets, 10 mg once a day	Treating postmenopausal osteoporosis Preventing and treating corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis in postmenopausal women not receiving hormone replacement therapy Treating osteoporosis in men	28‑tablet pack = £1.69
Alendronic acid (generic) tablets, 70 mg once a week	Treating postmenopausal osteoporosis	4‑tablet pack = £0.72
Alendronic acid (generic) oral solution, 70 mg/100 ml once a week	Treating postmenopausal osteoporosis	4 × 100 ml = £27.36
Ibandronic acid (generic) tablets, 150 mg once a month	Treating postmenopausal osteoporosis	1‑tablet pack = £1.13
Ibandronic acid (generic) injection, 3 mg/3 ml once every 3 months	Treating postmenopausal osteoporosis	3‑ml prefilled syringe = £10.27*
Risedronate sodium (generic) tablets, 5 mg once a day	Treating postmenopausal osteoporosis to reduce risk of vertebral or hip fractures Preventing osteoporosis (including corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis) in postmenopausal women	28‑tablet pack = £8.60*
Risedronate sodium (generic) tablets, 35 mg once a week	Treating postmenopausal osteoporosis to reduce risk of vertebral or hip fractures Treating osteoporosis in men at high risk of fractures	4‑tablet pack = £0.85
Zoledronic acid (generic) intravenous infusion, 50 micrograms/ml once a year	Treating postmenopausal osteoporosis and osteoporosis in men (including corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis)	100‑ml solution for infusion bag = £7.36*

Prices based on national drug tariff

* Price based on eMIT database (data from 12-month period to end December 2015).