Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Cariprazine vs. Risperidone for the Treatment of Schizophrenia With Predominantly Negative Symptoms (PNS) in United Arab Emirates
Author(s)
Mohamed Bardi, MD1, Rihab Al-Homsi, Pharm.D2, Tareq Abu-Rumman, B.Pharm3, Iyad Alnims, B.Pharm3, Jalal Atieh, BS Pharm2.
1Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital EHS, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 2Hikma Pharmaceuticals, Amman, Jordan, 3Hikma Pharmaceuticals, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
1Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital EHS, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 2Hikma Pharmaceuticals, Amman, Jordan, 3Hikma Pharmaceuticals, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
OBJECTIVES: Negative symptoms of schizophrenia have a detrimental impact on patients’ functional outcomes and quality of life. Cariprazine, a novel antipsychotic, has demonstrated superior efficacy in treating schizophrenia with PNS compared with Risperidone. This study aims to assess the cost-effectiveness of Cariprazine versus Risperidone for the treatment of schizophrenia with PNS in United Arab Emirates (UAE).
METHODS: A cost-utility analysis using a deterministic 9-state Markov cohort model was adapted to UAE public payer perspective, focusing on one of the country’s largest psychiatric hospitals. The model structure was based on Mohr-Lenert health states. Transition probabilities were calculated based on RGH-188-005 clinical trial data and estimates from European expert interviews. Cycle length was set to be one week for the first 6 weeks then 3 months thereafter. Time horizon was assumed to be 10 years. Direct costs included local drug acquisition cost (Average Tender Price) and hospital resources utilization cost. Data on resources utilization of schizophrenic patients was gathered from the European Schizophrenia Cohort (EuroSC) study. Utilities of health states and utility decrements were obtained from international literature. 3.5% annual discount rate was applied to both costs and outcomes. Deterministic (DSA) and probabilistic sensitivity analyses (PSA) were performed.
RESULTS: The total cost was 35,273 USD for Cariprazine and 35,640 USD for Risperidone. Cariprazine yielded 6.64 QALYs versus 6.54 QALYs for Risperidone. Cariprazine was found to be a dominant option, with an ICER of - 3,589 USD per QALY gained. The model was sensitive to changes in medication pricing of Cariprazine and Risperidone. PSA found that Cariprazine was 80% likely to be cost-effective at zero willingness-to-pay threshold.
CONCLUSIONS: Cariprazine is a dominant option for the treatment of schizophrenia with PNS in one of UAE’s major psychiatric hospitals. Our findings may support its inclusion in the hospital formulary.
METHODS: A cost-utility analysis using a deterministic 9-state Markov cohort model was adapted to UAE public payer perspective, focusing on one of the country’s largest psychiatric hospitals. The model structure was based on Mohr-Lenert health states. Transition probabilities were calculated based on RGH-188-005 clinical trial data and estimates from European expert interviews. Cycle length was set to be one week for the first 6 weeks then 3 months thereafter. Time horizon was assumed to be 10 years. Direct costs included local drug acquisition cost (Average Tender Price) and hospital resources utilization cost. Data on resources utilization of schizophrenic patients was gathered from the European Schizophrenia Cohort (EuroSC) study. Utilities of health states and utility decrements were obtained from international literature. 3.5% annual discount rate was applied to both costs and outcomes. Deterministic (DSA) and probabilistic sensitivity analyses (PSA) were performed.
RESULTS: The total cost was 35,273 USD for Cariprazine and 35,640 USD for Risperidone. Cariprazine yielded 6.64 QALYs versus 6.54 QALYs for Risperidone. Cariprazine was found to be a dominant option, with an ICER of - 3,589 USD per QALY gained. The model was sensitive to changes in medication pricing of Cariprazine and Risperidone. PSA found that Cariprazine was 80% likely to be cost-effective at zero willingness-to-pay threshold.
CONCLUSIONS: Cariprazine is a dominant option for the treatment of schizophrenia with PNS in one of UAE’s major psychiatric hospitals. Our findings may support its inclusion in the hospital formulary.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
EE194
Topic
Economic Evaluation
Disease
Mental Health (including addition)