OBJECTIVES: To conduct an economic evaluation of a novel minimally-invasive flash glucose monitor system (FM) vs Self-Monitoring of Blood-Glucose (SMBG) in patients with Diabetes Type 1 (DT1) and 2 (DT2) receiving intensive insulin (MDIs), from a Greek payer perspective.

METHODS: The IMS CDM model was used to assess the cost-effectiveness of FM in a lifetime horizon. Patients’ characteristics as well as hypoglycemic event rates were extracted from the trials IMPACT (DT1) and REPLACE (DT2). Default model equations were used for prediction of clinical parameters. All costs (€,2017) considered in the model were derived from national sources or the published literature. FM cost was provided by Abbott SA. Incremental cost per quality-adjusted-life-years (QALYs) gained was calculated. One-way sensitivity analysis was conducted. An international budget impact model was locally adapted to estimate the budget with and without FM at a 3-year horizon. Based on experts, the eligible MDI population was 24,410 DT1 and 8,137 DT2 patients. Resource utilization comprises the daily use of consumables (FM+strips+lancets), hospitalizations for severe hypoglycemia (DT1) and all-cause emergency visits and hospitalizations (DT2). The 3-year market shares of FM were assumed to be 15%-20%-25% (DT1) and 6%-10%-13% (DT2).

RESULTS: Cost-effectiveness analysis revealed that FM may create 0.567 and 0.317 additional QALYs compared to SMBG for DT1 and DT2, at a cost increase of €8,255 and €6.236, respectively, resulting in ICERs of €14,567/QALY and €19,703/QALY gained, both well below the Willingness-To-Pay threshold of €34,000. The treatment costs of FM and SMBG were primarily driving the results. The introduction of FM in the Greek market may result in a 3-year payer’s budget increase by €5,114, 658 (5.5%) and €614,473 (1.8%) for DT1 and DT2, respectively, and €5,729,131 (4.3%) for the total MDI population.

CONCLUSIONS: FM seems to be a cost-effective option in MDIs with a moderate increase at the budget of the Greek payer.