The societal impact of treatment with natalizumab of relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis in Italian clinical practice: The Tysabri® PharmacoEconomics (TyPE) Study
Authors
B Polistena
C.R.E.A. Sanità, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
F Spandonaro
C.R.E.A. Sanità, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
R Capra
Multiple Sclerosis Center, Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
Natalizumab, cost-utility, cost-effectiveness, societal impact, quality-adjusted life year, quality of life, multiple sclerosis
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis progressively impairs patients’ ability to independently perform activities of daily living, reduces working capacity, and negatively affects social interactions and relationships, imposing a cost for the society. The aim of this study was to explore the impact on society of treatment of multiple sclerosis with natalizumab in Italian clinical practice. A prospective, observational study was conducted in 24 specialized centers throughout Italy. Direct and indirect costs, as well as the health-related quality of life of patients undergoing treatments, were estimated, while societal impacts were determined using a cost-utility approach. Non-medical direct and indirect costs accounted for 55.7% of the total cost prior to treatment and up to 47.5% after treatment with natalizumab. From the social perspective, greater medical direct costs for second-line drug treatment are nearly offset by savings on non-medical direct costs and by greater productivity, resulting in a +0.5% incremental cost. Assuming a societal perspective, the first year of treatment with natalizumab in real-world clinical practice results in an incremental cost of €2814.8/quality-adjusted life year gained. Multiple sclerosis imposes a considerable burden on patients, their families, and caregivers, stressing the importance of considering the societal perspective in the appraisal process. Treatment with natalizumab shows a noteworthy benefit in social terms.
Polistena, B., Spandonaro, F., Capra, R., Fantaccini, S., Santoni, L., Zimatore, G., & Gasperini, C. (2019). The societal impact of treatment with natalizumab of relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis in Italian clinical practice: The Tysabri® PharmacoEconomics (TyPE) Study. Global and Regional Health Technology Assessment, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.33393/grhta.2019.463