Estimated Healthcare Resource Utilization and Costs Associated With Semaglutide Life Expectancy Gains in a Real-World Population With CVD and Overweight or Obesity in the United Kingdom
Author(s)
Steven Hageman, PhD1, Jan Westerink, MD2, João Fernandes, MSc3, Timothy Arnaut, MSc3, Sara Holloway, MSc4, Pei-Yu Lee, MSc4, Jonathan Pearson-Stuttard, MA, MSc, PhD, MD4.
1University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands, 2Isala Hospital, Zwolle, Netherlands, 3Novo Nordisk A/S, Søborg, Denmark, 4Lane Clark & Peacock LLP, London, United Kingdom.
1University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands, 2Isala Hospital, Zwolle, Netherlands, 3Novo Nordisk A/S, Søborg, Denmark, 4Lane Clark & Peacock LLP, London, United Kingdom.
OBJECTIVES: In the SELECT cardiovascular (CV) outcomes trial, semaglutide 2.4mg significantly reduced the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE: non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, CV mortality) versus placebo in patients with CV disease (CVD) and overweight or obesity, without type 2 diabetes (T2D). Semaglutide’s cost-effectiveness and life expectancy gains have been previously demonstrated. Here, we estimated the impact of semaglutide on healthcare resource utilisation (HCRU) and costs in a UK real-world population meeting SELECT eligibility criteria.
METHODS: This cohort study comprising individuals from diverse socioeconomic/ethnic backgrounds, used the Discover electronic health record database in North-West London (2015-2019), selecting individuals ≥45 years with BMI ≥27kg/m2, established CVD, and no T2D history. Using actuarial life tables, effect estimates from SELECT on MACE, non-CV mortality, and composite MACE plus non-CV mortality were applied to estimate the impact of life expectancy gains from semaglutide compared to no treatment. HCRU (primary care appointments, primary care prescriptions, hospital admissions, outpatient visits, and emergency attendances) and associated costs were calculated per 100,000 patient-years in 5-year age bands over a 5-year period. Semaglutide costs were not included in the HCRU.
RESULTS: 16,310 individuals were included (64% male). Semaglutide reduced HCRU events by 20-25% across endpoints in those aged 55-74 years (n=8,287): 3,581 fewer HCRU events per 100,000 patient-years for MACE plus non-CV mortality (cost reduction: £1.9 million per 100,000 patient-years), 2,706 fewer HCRU events following MACE (cost reduction: £1.5 million), and 875 fewer HCRU events associated with non-CV mortality (cost reduction: £450,000). The largest benefits were in the 70-74 age group: 22,252 fewer HCRU events (cost reduction: ~£7.4 million).
CONCLUSIONS: In our UK real-world population, semaglutide treatment in individuals with overweight or obesity and established CVD reduces HCRU and costs associated with life expectancy gains. These cost savings highlight the healthcare system benefits of addressing CVD in people living with obesity.
METHODS: This cohort study comprising individuals from diverse socioeconomic/ethnic backgrounds, used the Discover electronic health record database in North-West London (2015-2019), selecting individuals ≥45 years with BMI ≥27kg/m2, established CVD, and no T2D history. Using actuarial life tables, effect estimates from SELECT on MACE, non-CV mortality, and composite MACE plus non-CV mortality were applied to estimate the impact of life expectancy gains from semaglutide compared to no treatment. HCRU (primary care appointments, primary care prescriptions, hospital admissions, outpatient visits, and emergency attendances) and associated costs were calculated per 100,000 patient-years in 5-year age bands over a 5-year period. Semaglutide costs were not included in the HCRU.
RESULTS: 16,310 individuals were included (64% male). Semaglutide reduced HCRU events by 20-25% across endpoints in those aged 55-74 years (n=8,287): 3,581 fewer HCRU events per 100,000 patient-years for MACE plus non-CV mortality (cost reduction: £1.9 million per 100,000 patient-years), 2,706 fewer HCRU events following MACE (cost reduction: £1.5 million), and 875 fewer HCRU events associated with non-CV mortality (cost reduction: £450,000). The largest benefits were in the 70-74 age group: 22,252 fewer HCRU events (cost reduction: ~£7.4 million).
CONCLUSIONS: In our UK real-world population, semaglutide treatment in individuals with overweight or obesity and established CVD reduces HCRU and costs associated with life expectancy gains. These cost savings highlight the healthcare system benefits of addressing CVD in people living with obesity.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
EPH84
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health
Topic Subcategory
Public Health
Disease
Diabetes/Endocrine/Metabolic Disorders (including obesity)