OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the difference in patient access and public prices (PP) of multiple sclerosis (MS) disease modifying therapies (DMTs) marketed in Saudi Arabia (SA) vs. United Arab of Emirates (UAE).

METHODS: Cross-sectional study. DMTs regulatory information and PP were derived from Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) and UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention websites. The PP for each DMT was collected from last updated version available in the websites, accessed June 2018. The defined daily dose (DDD) for adult patients was obtained from FDA approved labels and World Health Organization (WHO) website. The PP/DDD was computed and compared between the two countries. The UAE Dirham (AED) was converted to Saudi Riyal (SR) using the latest exchange rates. Independent t-test was performed. The statistical significance level was set at 0.05.

RESULTS: As of May 2018, there were 8 DMTs available in SA market and only one DMT (Interferon [IFN] Beta-1a) available in UAE Market. The range of PP/DDD was from SR 70.8 (IFN beta-1a) to SR 288 (Natalizumab) for DMTs available in SA market. The PP/DDD for IFN beta-1a were 1.3, 1.5, and 2.5 (for IFN beta-1a 44 µg/1 ml, IFN beta-1a 30 µg/0.5 ml, and IFN beta-1a 22 µg/1 ml, respectively) times higher in the UAE market compared to SA market. The PP/DDD for IFN beta-1a 44 µg/1 ml, IFN beta-1a 30 µg/0.5 ml, and IFN beta-1a 22 µg/1 ml were SR 141.72, SR 141.72, and SR 70.86 in SA market compared to SR 196.43, SR 223.96, and SR 177.99 in the UAE. The different was statistically significant (P =0.016).

CONCLUSIONS: PP/DDD for DMTs was significantly higher in UAE compared to SA. Further studies should be conducted to evaluate the reasons for drug lag and difference in prices between SA and UAE.