Efficiency and budgetary impact of nimotuzumab in the treatment of patients with head and neck cancer in Cuba
Keywords:
economic evaluation, pharmacoeconomics, budget impact, nimotuzumab, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neckAbstract
Introduction: From the perspective of health economics, there is no evidence of the efficiency of nimotuzumab in the treatment of patients diagnosed with squamous cell cancer of the head and neck in advanced stages.
Objectives: To evaluate the efficiency of adding nimotuzumab to treatment alternatives for the patients mentioned above, and to estimate its budgetary impact for the National Health System.
Methods: They were carried out two cost-effectiveness economic evaluations, based on phase III and IV clinical trials and a budget impact analysis.
Results: The first evaluation showed that the nimotuzumab-radiotherapy combination was an efficient option. In the second study, the alternative sequence of radiotherapy and chemotherapy plus nimotuzumab increased the cost of the treatment, although since the drug is included in the therapeutic scheme of the Ministry of Public Health, an acceptance threshold for oncological treatments of $33,000.00 for life years gained. The budget impact analysis showed that applying shorter administration schedules for nimotuzumab would achieve an avoided cost between (8-50) million Cuban pesos.
Conclusions: The incorporation of nimotuzumab means an additional cost to the health system, but its effectiveness and safety merit its use and will lead to the development of new treatment guidelines based on evidence of its efficiency.Downloads
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