Cost-Effectiveness & Budget Impact of Hepatitis C Virus Treatment with Sofosbuvir & Ledipasvir in the U.S.
2015
This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness and budget impact of sofosbuvir and ledipasvir for treating chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection compared to the old standard of care (oSOC). Using a microsimulation model based on HCV natural history, data from published literature, and a third-party payer perspective, the analysis considers treatment-naive and treatment-experienced HCV populations in the United States over a lifetime horizon. Sofosbuvir-based therapies are found to add 0.56 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) relative to oSOC, with incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) ranging from $9700 to $284 300 per QALY depending on patient characteristics. Sensitivity analysis reveals the results' dependency on drug price, efficacy, and post-treatment quality of life. Despite additional costs, treating eligible HCV-infected persons with new drugs is projected to be cost-effective in the majority of cases. However, the study emphasizes the need for additional resources and value-based patient prioritization to effectively manage HCV patients.
Source:
Chhatwal J, Kanwal F, Roberts MS et al. Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Impact of Hepatitis C Virus Treatment with Sofosbuvir and Ledipasvir in the United States. Annals of Internal Medicine 2015; 162: 397-406. https://doi.org/10.7326/m14-1336
Not open access.