Estimating the Broader Societal Impact of Ocrelizumab for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in Latin America (LATAM) Using a Social Impact Approach
Author(s)
Juan I. Altuna, BEc1, Josue Hidalgo, PharmD2, Malina Müller, BA, MA, PhD3, Adnan Atitallah, MPH, MSc4, Melissa Diaz, MD, MSc5, Laura Catalina Prieto, MD, MSc6.
1Productos Roche S.A.Q.e I., Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2Roche Central America, Alajuela, Costa Rica, 3WifOR Institute, Darmstadt, Germany, 4WifOR GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany, 5Roche, Bogota, Colombia, 6Roche Colombia, Bogota, Colombia.
1Productos Roche S.A.Q.e I., Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2Roche Central America, Alajuela, Costa Rica, 3WifOR Institute, Darmstadt, Germany, 4WifOR GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany, 5Roche, Bogota, Colombia, 6Roche Colombia, Bogota, Colombia.
OBJECTIVES: To quantify the societal impact (SI) of Roche’s MS therapies in LATAM using the Social Impact methodology developed by the WifOR Institute.
METHODS: SI was estimated for Argentina(ARG), Colombia(COL), Ecuador(ECU), Mexico(MEX), Panama(PAN), Dominican Republic(DR), and Uruguay(URU). The analysis began from the date of approval of Roche's MS therapy (Ocrelizumab) in each country, with projections through 2027. The SI methodology estimates paid productivity gains (including induced and indirect effects) and unpaid productivity gains associated with improved health outcomes, utilizing two metrics: the Health Footprint, measured as Quality-Adjusted Life Years(QALYs) gained by patients treated annually, and the Socioeconomic Footprint, expressed as productivity gains in terms of Gross Value Added (1QALY=1year of productivity gained).
RESULTS: From country-specific start years(2017-2020) through 2024, the QALYs gained across the region totaled 364. The highest gained reported by MEX:171, followed by ARG:99, COL:54, ECU:20, PAN:6, DR:6, and URU:8QALYs. Productivity gains were valued at USD11.4 million in GDP contributions. MEX:USD5.4M and ARG:USD4.4M accounted for the largest shares. SI per QALY in 2024 ranged from COL:USD8,758 to PAN:USD54,916. For the projected period 2025-2027, the region is expected to gain an additional 696QALYs, led by MEX:389, ARG:180, COL:57, ECU:44, URU:20, PAN:3 and DR:3. Projected economic contributions due to productivity gains total USD26.0M, the highest contributions from MEX:USD15.3M and ARG:USD8.3M.
CONCLUSIONS: While the full value of therapeutic innovation is multifaceted and extends beyond clinical outcomes (direct health benefits and cost reductions due to avoided relapses), this study's SI approach demonstrates that Roche's innovation in MS generates substantial health and societal productivity gains across LATAM, with significant observed benefits through 2024 and continued value projected through 2027. Results highlight that sustained investment in innovation, especially in middle-income countries, optimizes clinical results and alleviates pressure on healthcare systems by enabling patients to regain productivity and, ultimately, contribute to the region's economic growth and social well-being.
METHODS: SI was estimated for Argentina(ARG), Colombia(COL), Ecuador(ECU), Mexico(MEX), Panama(PAN), Dominican Republic(DR), and Uruguay(URU). The analysis began from the date of approval of Roche's MS therapy (Ocrelizumab) in each country, with projections through 2027. The SI methodology estimates paid productivity gains (including induced and indirect effects) and unpaid productivity gains associated with improved health outcomes, utilizing two metrics: the Health Footprint, measured as Quality-Adjusted Life Years(QALYs) gained by patients treated annually, and the Socioeconomic Footprint, expressed as productivity gains in terms of Gross Value Added (1QALY=1year of productivity gained).
RESULTS: From country-specific start years(2017-2020) through 2024, the QALYs gained across the region totaled 364. The highest gained reported by MEX:171, followed by ARG:99, COL:54, ECU:20, PAN:6, DR:6, and URU:8QALYs. Productivity gains were valued at USD11.4 million in GDP contributions. MEX:USD5.4M and ARG:USD4.4M accounted for the largest shares. SI per QALY in 2024 ranged from COL:USD8,758 to PAN:USD54,916. For the projected period 2025-2027, the region is expected to gain an additional 696QALYs, led by MEX:389, ARG:180, COL:57, ECU:44, URU:20, PAN:3 and DR:3. Projected economic contributions due to productivity gains total USD26.0M, the highest contributions from MEX:USD15.3M and ARG:USD8.3M.
CONCLUSIONS: While the full value of therapeutic innovation is multifaceted and extends beyond clinical outcomes (direct health benefits and cost reductions due to avoided relapses), this study's SI approach demonstrates that Roche's innovation in MS generates substantial health and societal productivity gains across LATAM, with significant observed benefits through 2024 and continued value projected through 2027. Results highlight that sustained investment in innovation, especially in middle-income countries, optimizes clinical results and alleviates pressure on healthcare systems by enabling patients to regain productivity and, ultimately, contribute to the region's economic growth and social well-being.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
EE423
Topic
Economic Evaluation, Epidemiology & Public Health, Methodological & Statistical Research
Topic Subcategory
Novel & Social Elements of Value
Disease
Neurological Disorders, Rare & Orphan Diseases