OBJECTIVES

: To assess the contribution of omalizumab in the reduction of the asthma burden in Ireland from 2005 to 2016. According to the HSE, asthma affects approximately 450,000 people in Ireland, posing a significant public health problem, resulting in heavy use of emergency and hospital care.

METHODS

: Using Irish patient numbers, two responder scenarios were assumed; one in which all patients were responders i.e. 100% responder rate, and another in which 69.9% were responders based on a 2 year international, observational registry: eXpeRience. Reduction of the asthma burden by omalizumab compared to standard therapy (ST) over 11 years in Ireland was estimated using the following: asthma related deaths avoided, reduction in exacerbations leading to hospitalisation, reduction in exacerbations leading to hospitalisation or emergency department (ED) visits, and quality adjusted life years.

RESULTS

: With a 100% response rate, use of omalizumab resulted in 3 fewer asthma related deaths and 50 fewer secondary care exacerbations per year when compared to ST (58% reduction); while a 69.9% response rate resulted in 2 fewer asthma related deaths and 35 fewer secondary care exacerbations per year when compared to ST (58% reduction). Omalizumab was also associated with an average of 13 months additional full health to each responder.

CONCLUSIONS

: Treatment with omalizumab is associated with a reduction in asthma burden in Ireland in terms of asthma related deaths avoided, exacerbations requiring hospitalisation and/or ED visits and an increase in QALYs gained. Continuous effort is necessary from all stakeholders to link access of effective treatments to appropriate disease management. Further research on asthma mortality risk data outside secondary care is warranted.