John Slof1, Adrien Gras. 1. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de la UAB, Bellaterra, Spain.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressive disease that carries a high socioeconomic burden. Spasticity (rigidity and spasms) is common in MS and a key contributor to MS-related disability. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of Sativex®, a 9-d-tetrahydrocannabinol/cannabidiol-based oromucosal spray that acts as an endocannabinoid system modulator. Sativex was recently approved for the management of resistant MS spasticity as add-on medication. METHODS: A Markov model-based analysis was performed over a 5-year horizon from a German and Spanish healthcare payer perspective. The incremental cost of Sativex was low compared with current spasticity treatments, and provided a quality-adjusted life-year gain over the current standard of care. RESULTS: The base-case incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for Sativex was estimated at €11,214/quality-adjusted life-year in Germany, while the drug was the dominant option in Spain, providing savings of €3496/patient over a 5-year period (year of costing: 2010). This was seen because the lower severity of spasticity in patients who had improved led to reduced resource consumption (e.g., physiotherapy and medications). CONCLUSION: Despite having a relatively high acquisition cost, Sativex was shown to be a cost-effective treatment option for patients with MS-related spasticity.
BACKGROUND:Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressive disease that carries a high socioeconomic burden. Spasticity (rigidity and spasms) is common in MS and a key contributor to MS-related disability. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of Sativex®, a 9-d-tetrahydrocannabinol/cannabidiol-based oromucosal spray that acts as an endocannabinoid system modulator. Sativex was recently approved for the management of resistant MS spasticity as add-on medication. METHODS: A Markov model-based analysis was performed over a 5-year horizon from a German and Spanish healthcare payer perspective. The incremental cost of Sativex was low compared with current spasticity treatments, and provided a quality-adjusted life-year gain over the current standard of care. RESULTS: The base-case incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for Sativex was estimated at €11,214/quality-adjusted life-year in Germany, while the drug was the dominant option in Spain, providing savings of €3496/patient over a 5-year period (year of costing: 2010). This was seen because the lower severity of spasticity in patients who had improved led to reduced resource consumption (e.g., physiotherapy and medications). CONCLUSION: Despite having a relatively high acquisition cost, Sativex was shown to be a cost-effective treatment option for patients with MS-related spasticity.
Authors: Samuel Herzog; Marian Shanahan; Peter Grimison; Anh Tran; Nicole Wong; Nicholas Lintzeris; John Simes; Martin Stockler; Rachael L Morton Journal: Pharmacoeconomics Date: 2018-01 Impact factor: 4.981