OBJECTIVES: Treatment with alemtuzumab for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis provides efficacy in the absence of continuous treatment, which is assumed to generate savings for the Norwegian Healthcare when compared to other disease-modifying therapies. The overall objective of this study was to utilize real-world data (RWD) to estimate the savings for the health care sector in Norway from 2013-2018, after the introduction of alemtuzumab in 2013, and predict the future budget impact of alemtuzumab for 2019-2027.

METHODS: A budget impact model (BIM) was developed using RWD retrieved from the Norwegian Patient Registry (NPR), the Norwegian Prescription Database (NorPD), and Information Medical Statistics (IMS) sales data. The BIM was run with two scenarios; one where the patient population was based on NPR and NorPD data, and one where the patient population was based on IMS sales data. The model compared the current clinical practice with alemtuzumab, ocrelizumab, fingolimod, natalizumab, and cladribine, to a scenario without alemtuzumab. Norwegian costs for drug treatment and monitoring were retrieved from national tariffs and healthcare services. Costs related to thyroid disorders in patients treated with alemtuzumab were also incorporated. The impact of alternative model settings and inputs was evaluated through sensitivity analyses.

RESULTS: Due to the nature of the treatment, savings was first seen in 2017. Based on our calculations, total savings from launch in 2013 to 2018 were NOK 25,810,500. With continued use of alemtuzumab, the savings in 2027 alone is estimated to be NOK 27,242,576, with an average yearly saving of NOK 25,284,807 from 2019-2027. The total savings from 2013 to 2027 is estimated to be NOK 253,373,760.

CONCLUSIONS: The real world analysis, utilizing IMS sales data or combining data from NPR and NorPD, indicates that access to alemtuzumab in Norway results in cost savings.