THE RESOURCE COST OF SWITCHING STABLE RHEUMATOLOGY PATIENTS FROM AN ORIGINATOR BIOLOGIC TO A BIOSIMILAR IN THE UK
Author(s)
Barnes T1, Wong E2, Thakrar K3, Glen F4, Young-Min S2, Marchbank K5, Ingram A5
1Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Chester, UK, 2Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Portsmouth, UK, 3University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK, 4pH Associates, Runcorn, UK, 5Abbvie Ltd, Maidenhead, UK
OBJECTIVES: Switching stable patients from branded biologics to biosimilars may offer potential cost savings through discounted drug prices however little is known about the impact on NHS resource use and the cost of service level activities. This study aimed to describe and quantify the impact on NHS resource use and the cost of service level activities required to conduct an originator biologic to biosimilar switch. METHODS: This study was conducted in three UK rheumatology centres using a mixed methodology: (1) Semi-structured one-to-one interviews with key staff members involved in a recent Enbrel® to Benepali® switch to determine activities involved in the switch process, (2) Collecting service level data to quantify time and resource associated with switch activities. For each centre, a description of the switch model was developed and associated costs calculated using published NHS reference costs. RESULTS: Similar costs for switch planning activities (£12,638-£ 15,276) were observed across all three centres. Switch implementation and follow-up costs varied between £6,975 and £61,386 per centre depending on the model used. Key factors influencing the implementation cost included the use of dedicated switch vs. routine outpatient clinics, patient education and consent methods, and inclusion of additional post-switch monitoring clinic appointments. Overall, between 320 and 987 hours of staff time was spent on the switch per centre (estimated 149-176 patients switched per centre). CONCLUSIONS: Switching from a biologic to a biosimilar was shown to be associated with additional NHS activities and resource use which should be considered by NHS stakeholders alongside potential drug cost savings. This study quantifies real-world resource costs associated with different switch models selected by centres to meet perceived patient needs. Costings varied considerably, reflecting differing numbers of patients switched and services provided. A fourth centre will be added and further work required to understand patient experience of the switch.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2017-11, ISPOR Europe 2017, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Vol. 20, No. 9 (October 2017)
Code
PMS98
Topic
Economic Evaluation
Topic Subcategory
Cost/Cost of Illness/Resource Use Studies
Disease
Musculoskeletal Disorders