OBJECTIVES: Atypical antipsychotics are first choice treatment for patients with schizophrenia. However, some of them are associated with cardiometabolic events (CME) and non-adherence to the medication, resulting in a significant clinical and economic impact. The aim of this study is to evaluate the budget impact (BI) of lurasidone in the management of adult patients with schizophrenia in Spain from a payer's perspective over a three-years’ time horizon.

METHODS : A BI model was developed to estimate the net BI associated with an increased penetration of lurasidone (potential scenario) vs current market penetration (current scenario) in Spain. The eligible population was Spanish adults with schizophrenia treated with atypical antipsychotics. Market data for both scenarios include all authorized oral and injectable atypical antipsychotic drugs authorized in the management of adult patients with schizophrenia, and it was obtained from market studies. Market share distribution of lurasidone of the current scenario (0.8%) remained constant over the 3 years’ time horizon, while for the potential scenario an annually increment was analyzed (1.5%, 2.5% and 3.8%). The costs based on the Spain-payer perspective included treatment-related costs, hospitalizations’ costs caused by nonadherence and cardiometabolic events management costs (€2021).

RESULTS : The total savings over the three-year period (2022-2024) for Spain associated with an increased used of lurasidone accounts for € -2,266,476. Costs with the greatest influence on the savings are those associated with hospitalizations due to non-adherence (60.0% of the savings), followed by treatment costs (25.7%) and cardiometabolic events (14.3%).

CONCLUSIONS : An increased penetration of lurasidone for the treatment of schizophrenia in adult patients generates savings of more than € 2M over 3 years for the healthcare system. This is due to the displacement of more expensive alternatives and to a lower cardiometabolic event profile and a higher adherence rate associated with lurasidone.