Economic Evaluation and Medication Utilization of Brentuximab Vedotin in Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Treatment in Bulgaria
Author(s)
Vesselina Goranova-Marinova, MD, PhD1, Daniela Grekova-Kafalova, PharmD, PhD2, Penka Ganeva, MD3, Ilina Micheva, MD, PhD4, Emil Spasov, MD, PhD1, Alexander Yordanov, MD, PhD5, Branimir Spasov, MD6, Atanas Radinoff, MD, PhD7, Evelina Gavazova, PhD8, Hristo Manev, PhD9, Zhanet Grudeva-Popova, MD, PhD1, Nedyalka Chervenkova, Master of Pharmacy10.
1Clinic of Clinical Hematology, University Hospital “Sv. Georgi”, Medical University-Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 2Department of Organisation and Economics of Pharmacy, Medical University- Plovdiv, Faculty of Pharmacy, Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 3Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment of Hematological Diseases, Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria, 4Clinic of Clinical Hematology, University Hospital “Sv. Marina”, Medical University – Varna, Varna, Bulgaria, 5Clinic of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital “Sv.Ivan Rilski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, 6MBAL “Heart and Brain” – Pleven, Pleven, Bulgaria, 7Clinic of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital “Sv.Ivan Rilski”, Sofia, Brunei Darussalam, 8Department of Organisation and Economics of Pharmacy, Medical University-Plovdiv, Faculty of Pharmacy, Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 9Department of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Medical University- Plovdiv, Faculty of Pharmacy, Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 10Central Hospital Pharmacy, University Hospital ”Sv.Georgi”-Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
1Clinic of Clinical Hematology, University Hospital “Sv. Georgi”, Medical University-Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 2Department of Organisation and Economics of Pharmacy, Medical University- Plovdiv, Faculty of Pharmacy, Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 3Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment of Hematological Diseases, Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria, 4Clinic of Clinical Hematology, University Hospital “Sv. Marina”, Medical University – Varna, Varna, Bulgaria, 5Clinic of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital “Sv.Ivan Rilski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, 6MBAL “Heart and Brain” – Pleven, Pleven, Bulgaria, 7Clinic of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital “Sv.Ivan Rilski”, Sofia, Brunei Darussalam, 8Department of Organisation and Economics of Pharmacy, Medical University-Plovdiv, Faculty of Pharmacy, Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 9Department of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Medical University- Plovdiv, Faculty of Pharmacy, Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 10Central Hospital Pharmacy, University Hospital ”Sv.Georgi”-Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
OBJECTIVES: This study evaluates the economic impact and medication utilization of brentuximab vedotin in treating Hodgkin’s lymphoma in Bulgaria, with a focus on direct and indirect costs.
METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted across four hematology clinics in Bulgaria. The study analysed medication utilization and healthcare costs covered by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
RESULTS: The study provides insights into patient demographics, treatment patterns, and economic outcomes associated with BV therapy. The observed sample is distributed by gender as follows: 41 women (51.9%) and 38 men (48.1%). The average age (in years) at first dose of brentuximab vedotin in the female part of the sample is 36.95 (sd=11.73) while in men is 36.82 (sd=11.62). The average time (in months) from diagnosis to first dose brentuximab vedotin is 32.32 (sd=28.15) and 43.32 (sd=58.49) for female and male, respectively, while the respective average time (in months) from first dose to last dose brentuximab vedotin for both sexes is 40.51 (sd=26.96) and 54.26 (sd=62.41). The status of the disease before (after) the treatment is distributed as follows: Complete Remission 27.9% (76.0%); Partial Remission 58.2% (2.5%); Stable Disease 3.8% (2.5%); Progressive Disease 10.1% (19.0%).In a single hematology center located in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, the total cost for patients for a years period from 2018 to 2022 is 5,999,091.84 BGN, with an exchange rate of 1 euro being 1,96 BGN; this means a total amount of 3,067,287.67 EUR. The sum presents only the amount for direct medical costs fully covered by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
CONCLUSIONS: Brentuximab vedotin is a valuable therapeutic option for Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients with relapsed or refractory disease. Despite its high cost, its clinical effectiveness and impact on patient outcomes highlight the need for continued access within national reimbursement frameworks. Further studies are recommended to assess long-term cost-effectiveness.
METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted across four hematology clinics in Bulgaria. The study analysed medication utilization and healthcare costs covered by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
RESULTS: The study provides insights into patient demographics, treatment patterns, and economic outcomes associated with BV therapy. The observed sample is distributed by gender as follows: 41 women (51.9%) and 38 men (48.1%). The average age (in years) at first dose of brentuximab vedotin in the female part of the sample is 36.95 (sd=11.73) while in men is 36.82 (sd=11.62). The average time (in months) from diagnosis to first dose brentuximab vedotin is 32.32 (sd=28.15) and 43.32 (sd=58.49) for female and male, respectively, while the respective average time (in months) from first dose to last dose brentuximab vedotin for both sexes is 40.51 (sd=26.96) and 54.26 (sd=62.41). The status of the disease before (after) the treatment is distributed as follows: Complete Remission 27.9% (76.0%); Partial Remission 58.2% (2.5%); Stable Disease 3.8% (2.5%); Progressive Disease 10.1% (19.0%).In a single hematology center located in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, the total cost for patients for a years period from 2018 to 2022 is 5,999,091.84 BGN, with an exchange rate of 1 euro being 1,96 BGN; this means a total amount of 3,067,287.67 EUR. The sum presents only the amount for direct medical costs fully covered by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
CONCLUSIONS: Brentuximab vedotin is a valuable therapeutic option for Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients with relapsed or refractory disease. Despite its high cost, its clinical effectiveness and impact on patient outcomes highlight the need for continued access within national reimbursement frameworks. Further studies are recommended to assess long-term cost-effectiveness.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-09, ISPOR Real-World Evidence Summit 2025, Tokyo, Japan
Value in Health Regional, Volume 49S (September 2025)
Code
RWD232
Topic Subcategory
Health & Insurance Records Systems
Disease
SDC: Rare & Orphan Diseases