OBJECTIVES

: Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT-A) injections are used in the treatment of adult patients with blepharospasm, cervical dystonia, and upper limb spasticity after stroke. Preliminary data from an observational study conducted in real world practice were used to extrapolate the annual cost of treatment in Brazil.

METHODS

: ULIS-III is a 2-year longitudinal, prospective, observational, cohort study and surveyed 1004 adults with ULS receiving repeat BoNT-A injections. Treatment intervals, cost per injection, number of injections per year, and annual costs were all calculated using an extrapolation from the ULIS-III interim analysis of treatment cycle one. The cost per care episode was calculated using recommended label dosage, combined with price per vial, based on ex-factory list from CMED authority in Brazil. No drug wastage was assumed. Several sensitivity analyses were carried out.

RESULTS

: The estimated number of injections per year, based on interim data from the ULIS study, were 1.96, 2.47, 2.45 for Dysport (aboBoNT-A), Botox (onaBoNT-A) and Xeomin (incoBoNT-A). Annual costs were estimated at R$ 3.572, R$ 4.311, R$ 4.153 respectively. Therefore, based on the dosing intervals observed in ULIS-III, the estimated maximum annual cost of treatment per patient with aboBoNT-A was almost 2.5 times lower than with onaBoNT-A and 3 times lower than incoBoNT-A.

CONCLUSIONS

: Based on a real-world Brazilian analysis, the cost impact of treating ULS with aboBoNT-A appeared to be lower compared to alternative treatment options onaBoNT-A and incoBoNT-A.