Family Caregivers’ Willingness to Pay for Drugs Indicated for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease: An economic or psychological model?

The aim of the present study was to examine the willingness of family members caring for patients with probable Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) to pay for drug treatment, using the contingent valuation technique and the theory of planned behavior. A sample of 220 family members (68.2% F, mean age = 62.3; 59.8% spouses and the rest children) were interviewed regarding their willingness to pay (WTP) for drug treatment, their attitudes, normative expectations of significant others and perceived behavioral control. The mean WTP for drug treatment was estimated at about 60-80% of the retail price of the drug at the time of the study. Participants were willing to pay a significantly higher price when provided with information regarding side effects. Including psychological determinants (especially regarding affordability and normative expectations of significant others) improved an economic model. The understanding of decision-making processes in the framework of dementia should be expanded to include economic and psychological determinants.