OBJECTIVES Dupilumab is the first targeted therapy capable of inhibiting the activity of interleukins mainly responsible for the activation of type-2 inflammation such as type-II asthma, AD (atopic dermatitis) and CRSwNP (chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis). This study aims to assess the budget impact of introducing dupilumab for management of type-II-inflammatory-diseases in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

METHODS This excel-based model assessed the incremental changes in the overall cost for management of type-II-inflammatory-diseases by introducing dupilumab to existing treatment options. Assessments were conducted over 5-year time-horizon and included the National Guard (NG), King Faisal Specialist Hospital (KFSH), and Ministry of Defence (MODA) health sectors. Key model inputs included prevalence of disease, annual rate of patients developing co-existing type-II-inflammatory-diseases and cost-components.

RESULTS At the end of 5-years, the total cost for management of type-II-inflammatory-diseases without dupilumab is estimated as Saudi Riyal (SAR) 114,528,369 in NG, SAR 117,696,418 in KFSH, and SAR 111,692,230 in MODA. Introduction of dupilumab would result in increments of 7.17% (NG), 6.81% (KFSH), and 7.41% (MODA) in total costs of type-II-inflammatory-diseases management. The estimated increment in total cost across different health sectors would range from 3.99%-7.44% for type-II asthma, 21.37%-29.06% for AD, and savings of -20.77% to -20.29% for CRSwNP. In terms of cost-components, introduction of dupilumab resulted in an estimated budget increase of 9.25% to 11.48% for drug acquisition, and savings of -54.84% for drug administration/monitoring, -41.75% to -14.10% for other costs (hospitalisation/emergency-visit/outpatient-visit/other interventions), and -22.24% to -9.11% for managing co-existing type-II-inflammatory-diseases.

CONCLUSIONS Although introduction of dupilumab to existing treatment options would result in a minimal increase in the overall budget, the majority of the cost-components have projected savings specifically in hospitalization costs; freeing up more healthcare resources to be used for other indications management.