Cost-effectiveness analysis of treatment timing considering the future entry of lower-cost generics for hepatitis C

Challenges of Incorporating Life Cycle Drug Pricing in Cost-Effectiveness Models: A Review of Methods and Modeling Suggestions

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to conduct a review of existing methods used to incorporate life cycle drug pricing (LCDP) in cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs), identify common methodological challenges, and suggest modeling approaches for prospectively implementing LCDP in CEA.

METHODS

Two complementary searches were conducted in PubMed, combined with hand searching and reference mining, to identify English language full-text articles that explored (1) how drug prices change over time and (2) methods used to apply dynamic pricing in cost-effectiveness models (CEMs). Relevant articles were reviewed, and authors discussed the common methodological practices used in the literature and their associated challenges on prospectively implementing LCDP in CEMs. For each key challenge identified, we provide modeling suggestions to address the issue.

RESULTS

We screened 1200 studies based on title and abstract; 117 were reviewed for eligibility, and 47 individual studies were included across both searches. Variations in prices over a product's life cycle are complex and multifactorial, and models applying LCDP in CEA varied in their methodology. We identified 4 key challenges to modeling LCDP in CEA, including how to model price trends before and after loss of exclusivity, how to capture the effect of price changes on future patient cohorts, and how to report results.

CONCLUSION

Accurately quantifying the impact of LCDP requires careful consideration of multiple aspects pertaining to both the evolution of drug prices and how to reflect these in CEA. Although uncertainties remain, our findings can aid implementation and evaluation of LCDP in economic evaluations.

Systematic Review of Health State Utility Values Used in European Pharmacoeconomic Evaluations for Chronic Hepatitis C: Impact on Cost-Effectiveness Results

BACKGROUND

Health state utility values (HSUVs) identified from utility elicitation studies are widely used in pharmacoeconomic evaluations for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and are particularly instrumental in health technology assessment (HTA) evaluations such as those from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify HSUVs used in cost-utility analyses (CUAs) for CHC in Europe and to evaluate the impact of HSUV selection on cost-effectiveness results in terms of the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained (ICER).

METHODS

A systematic search of pharmacoeconomic evaluations for CHC was updated in the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases for the periods 2012-2017 and 2017-2020. Data on health states, HSUVs, and utility elicitation studies were extracted. The difference in HSUVs of the same health state in different CUAs, and the difference between HSUVs of one health state and of the interlink health state in the same CUAs, were calculated. A quality assessment was performed to evaluate the selection of HSUVs in CUAs. Sets of HSUVs identified were used in a reconstructed CUA model to assess the impact on the ICER.

RESULTS

Twenty-six CUAs conducted in European countries and referring to 17 utility elicitation studies were included. The difference in HSUVs of the same health state in different CUAs ranged from 0.021 (liver transplant) to 0.468 (decompensated cirrhosis). The difference between HSUVs of one health state and of the interlink health state of the next disease severity level was calculated between the health states of F0-F1/mild and F2-F3/moderate (n = 11, 0.040-0.110), F2-F3/moderate and F4/compensated cirrhosis (n = 18, 0.027-0.130), compensated cirrhosis and decompensated cirrhosis (n = 22, 0.020-0.100), decompensated cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 24, 0.000-0.200), hepatocellular carcinoma and liver transplant in the first year (n = 17, - 0.329 to 0.170) and liver transplant in the first and subsequent years (n = 17, - 0.340 to 0.000). The utility elicitation study selected by most CUAs (n = 11) was recommended as the source of HSUVs, at least for the CUAs conducted in the UK, based on the results of quality assessment. Seven sets of HSUVs were generated to fit the reconstructed model and changed the results of the incremental analysis from being cost effective to not being cost effective (ICER ranging from £2460 to £24,954 per QALY gained), and to being dominated in the UK setting.

CONCLUSIONS

The CUAs for CHC were found to apply to various HSUVs from different utility elicitation studies in the same health state. This variability in HSUVs has the potential to significantly affect ICER and ICER-based reimbursement decisions. A rigorous selection of HSUVs in CUAs to inform healthcare resource allocation is suggested for future studies of CUAs and for guideline development.

New Antiviral Agents for Treatment of Hepatitis C

Between 70 and 170 million people worldwide are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) which frequently causes chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. There are several genotypes and many subtypes of HCV. Direct-acting antiviral agents are effective at eradicating HCV in the vast majority of patients, producing much higher cure rates than were seen with interferon and ribavirin regimens only a few years ago. The chapter reviews the epidemiology and virology of HCV infection. Treatment regimens are complex but a straightforward approach to selection of patients, choice of direct-acting antiviral agents and follow-up is presented.

HCV elimination plan leads to significant benefits in managing liver-related diseases and hospital interventions: a regional simulation

OBJECTIVES

This article presents a 3-year budget impact simulation on the effects of a chronic Hepatitis C (HCV) eradication plan in real-life costs incurred by the Regional Health Service.

METHODS

The Liguria Region network performed a prospective 3-year (2017-2019) timeframe horizon trends simulation analysis focusing on management interventions and costs. It involved all the eight prescribing centers in the region, starting from retrospective historical performance data and assuming the impact of sustained viral response rates for patients treated for HCV. Data on hospital admissions, medical visits, number of patients, and deaths were collected through the healthcare database.

RESULTS

At the beginning of 2017, 2,940 patients were eligible for HCV treatment with direct-acting antivirals. Assuming to treat this entire population with a success rate of 90%, the events related to liver complications in the horizon would decrease to 5,538 cumulatively (-35%), with a 27% reduction of direct costs, showing a global savings of 24,779.024 Euros.

CONCLUSION

Treating the entire eligible HCV population would lead to significant benefits and savings in managing liver-related diseases and their direct costs, opening opportunities to re-think new settings for the future organization of liver disease management in the regional health system.