OBJECTIVES: Secukinumab is the first fully human monoclonal antibody that selectively neutralizes IL-17A, which is approved for the treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA). In the context of no head to head trial comparing secukinumab 150mg (SEC150) and 300mg (SEC300) with other biological agents listed by the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) for the treatment of PsA (adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab and golimumab), we conducted a cost-minimization analysis to compare the costs generated by the use of secukinumab compared to other biologics in PsA.

METHODS: As for any cost-minimization analysis, it was assumed that the efficacy of SEC150 and SEC300 was comparable to those of the comparators. Annual treatment costs per patient in the first and second year of treatment were calculated to capture differences in costs of induction and maintenance treatment phases between treatments. Only drug costs were considered, which were estimated using the latest public price for government purchase and the number of doses required for 48 weeks, according to the SUS PsA Clinical Guideline. To evaluate the robustness of the analysis, one-way sensitivity analyses (OWSA) were performed.

RESULTS: SEC150 had the lowest annual drug costs in both first (BRL9,895.20) and second year (BRL7,916.16). The annual cost of SEC300 in the first year was BRL9,072 lower than infliximab (the highest annual drug cost). From second year on, SEC300 showed the second lowest cost (BRL15,832.32/year), with a minimum difference versus golimumab (BRL508.56), no difference versus adalimumab, lower cost than etanercept and infliximab (-BRL48.48 and -BRL5,814.48, respectively). The OWSA confirmed the favorable results for SEC150 in all scenarios evaluated. For SEC300, the OWSA indicated that the results are more sensible when discount over comparator’s price was applied.

CONCLUSIONS: SEC150 is a cost-saving alternative when compared to other biologic agents reimbursed by SUS for PsA treatment in Brazil.