Expected economic effect of the alirocumab administration in patients with hypercholesterolemia and high cardiovascular risk

Aim

To evaluate an economic effect of inclusion of Alirocumab into the state reimbursement programs.

Material and methods

We used Markov modeling and calculated the direct medical costs to compare the impact on budget of two medical technologies (statins and ezetimibe with and without Alirocumab) for the secondary prevention after acute coronary syndrome within the time horizon of 2 years. Cost of illness was calculated as a sum of direct medical costs (drugs, treatment for cardiovascular disease, lipid apheresis) and indirect costs (loss of GDP associated with temporary disability, cardiovascular disease or death). Sensitivity analysis was conducted.

Results

The inclusion of Alirocumab into the state reimbursement program reduced impact on budget by 49.05% in the high cardiovascular risk patients with family hypercholestermia who were refractory to the standard cholesterol-lowering treatment. Cost-savings were also associated with a decreased need in plasma lipids apheresis. The administration of Alirocumab resulted in decrease of the disease burden by 56.49% or 7.78 bln Roubles per year for the target group over 2 years compared with the current treatment practice. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability of the results.

Conclusion

An inclusion of Alirocumab into the state reimbursement programs for secondary prevention after ACS is economically justified.

Key words

Alirocumab, PCSK9 inhibitors, health technology assessment, pharmacoeconomics, hypercholesterole mia, impact on budget.