OBJECTIVES

: Thalassemia is an important hereditary disease which caused economic burden in low and middle income countries. This study evaluated the cost utility of new film-coated tablet formulation of deferasirox versus deferoxamine (Desferal, Novartis) among major b-Thalassemia patients from payer perspective of Iran healthcare system.

METHODS

: A model-based economic evaluation through Markov model was performed, including 3 states of A systematic review was conducted in order to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of comparators. Patients were assumed to be 2 years of age at initiation of chelation therapy and model was estimated lifetime costs and utilities. Costs were calculated to the Iran healthcare system through payer perspective and measured effectiveness using quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). The price of drugs was derived from Iran Food and Drug Administration official website. One-way sensitivity analysis and budget impact analysis was also employed.

RESULTS

: The 381 studies were found in the first phase of systematic searching through databases. After eliminating duplicate studies and studies incompatible with the inclusion and exclusion criteria of our study, 2 studies selected for evaluating the effectiveness of target medicines. FC Deferasirox (Jadenu, Novartis), was associated with an incremental cost-utility ratio of 82080907 versus deferoxamine (Desferal, Novartis) and it was lower than Iran health system threshold. Sensitivity analysis showed that different parameters except discount rate and indirect cost do not have impact on results. Also based on budget impact analysis, the increase in the cost of using FC deferasirox for one third of patients would be 0.08% of the total cost of using deferoxamin for all patients.

CONCLUSIONS

: Based on this analysis, d

FC Deferasirox appeared to be cost-effective treatment available for managing chronic iron overload in b-thalassemia patients of Iran.