Cost-effectiveness of Teriflunomide Compared to Interferon Beta-1b for Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis Patients in China

Multiple sclerosis in china: the current state of diagnosis and management

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This comprehensive overview summarized the latest advances of multiple sclerosis (MS) in China, including the diagnostic and treatment challenges, research and future directions under health policy recommendations.

RECENT FINDINGS

Given the rising prevalence of MS in China during the past decades, it has emerged as a significant public health concern due to the extensive population and pronounced disparities between urban and rural areas. The clinical manifestations of MS patients in China can be various due to the nation's diversity and evolving environmental factors. Advances in diagnostic practices, including the advances under 7T MRI radiological assessments, have enhanced the precision of MS diagnosis. Despite the introduction of disease-modifying therapeutic agents and the support of healthcare policies offering patients a wider range of treatment options, multiple ongoing research efforts and clinical trials will provide additional evidence. The ongoing China National Registry of Neuro-Inflammatory Diseases study (NCT05154370) holds promise for further enhancing the management of MS patients in China.

SUMMARY

Improved recognition and management of MS in China have been facilitated, encompassing both prompt diagnosis and diverse treatment options. Simultaneously, research efforts and large-scale cohort studies have significantly advanced the overall status in this field.

Untackling the economics of multiple sclerosis: A systematic review of economic evaluations of disease-modifying therapies indicated for multiple sclerosis

OBJECTIVES

Multiple sclerosis (MS) comprises a chronic, neurodegenerative, and inflammatory illness of the central nervous system that affects 2.8 million people worldwide. MS is only treatable, and to this direction, the disease armamentarium has been significantly enriched with new agents, albeit with burgeoning costs and engulfed by uncertainty. The scope of this review is to assess the efficiency of MS agents.

METHODS

We performed a systematic literature review, spanning from 2000 to 2023 on adult patients with any form of MS, receiving any MS indicated modality and whose outcome was ICUR and ICER. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed with the Quality of Health Economics Studies tool.

RESULTS

We identified 57 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Studies were hailing from 20 countries and a multitude of methodological approaches were documented across several types of MS. A substantial level of divergence regarding results was noted. Country setting, study perspective (societal vs payer) the selection of the benchmark treatment, data extrapolation beyond the reported timeframe of the trial and time horizon of the model exerted a substantial impact on the results. Dimethyl fumarate was consistently interrelated with a positive cost-effectiveness ratio. The same applies for fampridine, while Cladribine was proved to be a dominating agent. Ocrelizumab also evinced efficiency. The same applies for the early data of Siponimod and ofatumumab, however the breadth of their studies lags compares to other agents, and these results have to be further corroborated. On the contrary Interferons demonstrated a non-efficient profile and their use as a comparative benchmark arm brought about several complications regarding the incremental financial aspect of economic evaluations, since they are commonly used as such. The results of fingolimod and natalizumab studies are embroiled in uncertainty. Moreover, the efficiency factor was positively correlated by earlier access of patients to these products, rather than delayed one. Result discrepancies among the same country were also imputed to the adopted utility and disutility values and the methodological approach for data extrapolation. Results were sensitive to an array of factors. Among them, the effectiveness of the products, coupled with the cost of the agents emerged as the most important drivers. Uncertainty was further compounded by several other parameters such as discounting, efficacy waning, horizon of the study, disability base rate and utility of the patients. We also outlined that the efficiency of product is pertinent to the disease type. Results such as dominance must be interpreted with caution since in certain cases a dominating agent was proved to be as such by capitalizing on marginal incremental health gains, compared to the standard comparative treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

An increasing body of evidence consisting of economic evaluations for MS was retrieved. These studies exhibited high quality, however, the consistency regarding results was impaired.

Cost-effectiveness of oral versus injectable disease modifying therapies in relapsing multiple sclerosis: a systematic review analysis

BACKGROUND

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and progressive neurological autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. There are two types of drugs used to treat this disease: injectable and oral drugs. The present study aimed at systematically reviewing the cost effectiveness of oral versus injectable drugs.

METHODS

The researchers searched the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases to find relevant studies. After removing the duplicates, two authors independently assessed the records. The studies that had conducted full economic evaluations of oral versus injectable drugs in MS patients were included. The Quality of Health Economic Studies (QHES) tool was also used to assess the quality of the studies.

RESULTS

Thirty studies that had conducted the economic analysis of oral versus injectable therapies in MS patients were included in this review. The QHES scores for all records were generally high (≥ 77) and they were of good quality. The lowest and highest levels of incremental net monetary benefit were respectively obtained through the comparison of Fingolimod and Alemtuzumab (-1,419,333) and the comparison of Teriflunomide and Interferon β-1a (1,792,810). The amount of INMB (incremental net monetary benefit) in the comparisons between oral and injectable drugs showed that the highest and lowest amount of INMB calculated between) Fingolimod and injectable drugs, respectively, compared to (interferon β-1a) 98,253 and (Ocrelizumab) -212,417, the highest amount in dimethyl fumarate is also against (peginterferon β-1a) 191,470 and the lowest against (alemtuzumab) -124,333, Teriflunomide against injectable drugs is the highest against (peginterferon β-1a) 89,956 and the lowest (Ocrelizumab) - 194,169, as well as Cladribine compared to injectable drugs, the highest was compared to (interferon β-1a) 236,430 and the lowest (Ocrelizumab) was 23,965.

CONCLUSION

A large number of health economic evaluations of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in MS were available at the international level, the comparison of which was difficult and sometimes contradictory. However, despite the difference in the results, Cladribine tablets were cost-effective in all studies compared with injectable drugs. In addition, the present study could be of great importance for policymakers and other beneficiaries regarding the cost-effectiveness of the aforementioned drugs.

Sponsorship bias in published pharmacoeconomic evaluations of national reimbursement negotiation drugs in China: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

China's National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) has become the primary route for drug reimbursement in China. More recently, the authority has made pharmacoeconomic evaluation an integral part of the application for NRDL inclusion. The underlying financial conflict of interests (FCOI) of pharmacoeconomic evaluations, however, has the potential to influence evidence generated and thus subsequent decision-making yet remains poorly understood.

METHODS

We searched for studies published between January 2012 and January 2022 on the 174 drugs added to the 2017-2020 NRDLs after successful negotiation. We categorised the study's FCOI status into no funding, industry funding, non-profit funding and multiple fundings based on authors' disclosure and assessed the reporting quality of included studies using the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards 2022 checklist. We compiled descriptive statistics of funding types and study outcomes using t-tests and χ2 tests and conducted multivariate regression analysis.

RESULTS

We identified 378 records and our final sample included 92 pharmacoeconomic evaluations, among which 69.6% were conducted with at least one funding source. More than half (57.6%) of the evaluations reached favourable conclusions towards the intervention drug and 12.6% reached a dominant result of the intervention drug over the comparison from model simulation. The reporting quality of included studies ranged from 19 to 25 (on a scale of 28), with an average of 22.3. The statistical tests indicated that industry-funded studies were significantly more likely to conclude that the intervention therapy was economical (p<0.01) and had a significantly higher proportion of resulting target drug economically dominated the comparison drug (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The study revealed that FCOI bias is common in published pharmacoeconomic evaluations conducted in Chinese settings and could significantly influence the study's economical results and conclusions through various mechanisms. Multifaceted efforts are needed to improve transparency, comparability and reporting standardisation.

Recent progress in epidemiology, clinical features, and therapy of multiple sclerosis in China

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system characterized by inflammation, demyelination, and neurodegeneration. It mainly affects young adults, imposing a heavy burden on families and society. The epidemiology, clinical features, and management of MS are distinct among different countries. Although MS is a rare disease in China, there are 1.4 billion people in China, so the total number of MS patients is not small. Because of the lack of specific diagnostic biomarkers for MS, there is a high misdiagnosis rate in China, as in other regions. Due to different genetic backgrounds, the clinical manifestations of MS in Chinese are different from those in the West. Herein, this review aims to summarize the disease comprehensively, including clinical profile and the status of disease-modifying therapies in China based on published population-based observation and cohort studies, and also to compare with data from other countries and regions, thus providing help to develop diagnostic guideline and the novel therapeutic drugs. Meanwhile, we also discuss the problems and challenges we face, specifically for the diagnosis and treatment of MS in the middle- and low-income countries.

Cost-utility analysis of teriflunomide in naïve vs. previously treated patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in Italy

BACKGROUND

Multiple sclerosis (MS) accounts for 176 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (female/male ratio = 2:1) in Italy. For most of the patients (67%), the disease course is relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).

OBJECTIVE

To compare the costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) of teriflunomide in RRMS naïve patients vs. RRMS patients previously treated (experienced) with other disease-modifying therapies in Italy.

METHODS

A four health states Markov model-supported cost-utility analysis (CUA) covering a 7-year timespan through annual cycles was developed, following the healthcare sector and the societal viewpoints. Part of the parameters that populated the Markov model was obtained from a questionnaire administered to four primary Italian MS centres. Costs of healthcare and non-healthcare resources, expressed in euro (€) 2019, and QALYs were discounted at 3% real social discount rate. One-way, scenario and probabilistic sensitivity analyses tested the uncertainty of the baseline findings.

RESULTS

Baseline CUA shows that teriflunomide in RRMS naïve patients is strongly dominant vs. experienced patients (healthcare sector perspective: - €1042.68 and + 0.480 QALYs; societal perspective: - €6782.81 and + 0.480 QALYs). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the baseline results.

CONCLUSION

Teriflunomide in RRMS naïve vs. experienced patients is cost-effective and possibly strongly dominant from both the healthcare sector and the society viewpoints in Italy. Our findings need further confirmation from real-world studies.

The incidence and prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment of multiple sclerosis in China: a narrative review

In 2018, the first list of rare diseases was published by the National Health Council of China, and multiple sclerosis (MS) was included in this list. Since then, the Chinese government and neurologists have made efforts to improve the clinical outcomes of patients with MS. During last few years, the incidence of MS in China was also investigated. The early and accurate diagnosis of MS was improved due to the application and promotion of magnetic resonance imaging and new diagnosis criteria. The market for and medical insurance access to disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) has been greatly accelerated, which has provided more treatment options and improved clinical outcomes for patients with MS, as well as reduced treatment cost. The pattern of MS in China is gradually changing, from delayed to early diagnosis, and from no treatment to treatment with DMTs during remission. This narrative review aimed to summarize an update to the status of MS in China, including incidence and prevalence, diagnosis, and available treatments. This would help to better understand the diagnosis and treatment gap between mainland China and other Asian regions, demonstrating the necessity of accurate diagnosis and optimized treatment of MS in China.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of rituximab versus natalizumab in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis

Introduction

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease in which the myelin sheaths of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, which are responsible for communication, are destroyed and cause physical signs and symptoms. According to studies, anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies have significant results in the treatment of this disease. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine the cost-effectiveness of rituximab against natalizumab in the patients with RRMS in southern Iran in 2020.

Methods

This is an economic evaluation including cost-effectiveness analysis in which the Markov model with a lifetime horizon was used. The study sample consisted of 120 patients randomly selected from among those referred to the MS Association and the Special Diseases Unit of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. In this study, the costs were collected from a societal perspective, and the outcomes were obtained in the form of Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALY) and the mean relapse rate. The TreeAge pro 2020 and Excel 2016 software were used for data analysis.

Results

The comparative study of rituximab and natalizumab showed that the patients receiving rituximab had lower costs ($ 58,307.93 vs. $ 354,174.85) and more QALYs (7.77 vs. 7.65). In addition, the incidence of relapse by rituximab was lower compared to natalizumab (1.15 vs. 2.57). The probabilistic one-way sensitivity analysis showed the robustness of the results. The scatter plots also showed that rituximab was more cost-effective for the patients in 100% of the simulations for the threshold of < $ 37,641.

Discussion and conclusion

According to the results of this study, rituximab had higher cost-effectiveness than natalizumab. Therefore, it could be a priority for RRMS patients compared to natalizumab because it reduced treatment costs and increased effectiveness.

Real-world effectiveness and safety profile of teriflunomide in the management of multiple sclerosis in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries: An expert consensus narrative review

Background

The prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) is increasing in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Multiple sclerosis contributes to significant burden on patients and caregivers. The pharmacological treatment in MS involves treating acute exacerbations and preventing relapses and disability progression using disease-modifying therapies. Clinical evidence suggests that teriflunomide is one of the therapeutic choices for patients with relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS). However, genetic and cultural differences across different regions may contribute to variations in drug use. Therefore, it is necessary to consider real-world evidence for teriflunomide usage in GCC countries.

Methods

An expert group for MS gathered from GCC countries in December 2020. The consensus highlighting role of teriflunomide in MS management has been developed using clinical experiences and evidence-based approach.

Results

The expert-recommended patient profile for teriflunomide usage includes individuals aged 18 years and above, both men and women (on effective contraceptives) with clinically isolated syndrome or RRMS. The factors considered were cost-effectiveness of the drug, patient preference, adherence, monitoring, established safety profile, and coronavirus disease 2019 status.

Conclusion

Expert recommendations based on their clinical experience will be more helpful to clinicians in clinical settings regarding the usage of teriflunomide and provide valuable insights applicable in day-to-day practice.

Real-World Comparative Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Different Classes of Disease-Modifying Therapies for Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis in Saudi Arabia

The very fact that multiple sclerosis (MS) is incurable and necessitates life-long care makes it one of the most burdensome illnesses. The aim of this study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of orally administered medications (e.g., fingolimod, dimethyl fumarate, and teriflunomide), interferon (IFN)-based therapy, and monoclonal antibodies (MABs) (e.g., natalizumab and rituximab) in the management of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in Saudi Arabia using real-world data. This was a retrospective cohort study in which patients with RRMS aged ≥18 years without any other chronic health conditions with non-missing data for at least 12 months were recruited from the electronic health records of a university-affiliated tertiary care center. Multiple logistic regressions controlling for age, sex, and duration of therapy were conducted to examine the odds of disability progression, clinical relapse, MRI lesions, and composite outcome (e.g., relapse, lesion development on MRI, disability progression). The number of patients who met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis was 146. Most of the patients were female (70.51%) and young (e.g., ≤35 years of age). There were 40 patients on the orally administered agents (e.g., dimethyl fumarate, teriflunomide, fingolimod), 66 patients were on IFN-based therapy (e.g., Rebif^®), and 40 patients were on monoclonal antibodies (e.g., rituximab and natalizumab). Patients on MABs had lower odds of the composite outcome (OR = 0.17 (95% CI: 0.068–0.428)). The use of orally administered agents was dominant (e.g., more effective and less costly), with average annual cost savings of USD −4336.65 (95% CI: −5207.89–−3903.32) and 8.11% higher rate of effectiveness (95% CI: −14.81–18.07) when compared with Rebif^®. With regard to the use of MABs in comparison to Rebif^®, MABs were associated with higher cost but a better rate of effectiveness, with an average additional annual cost of USD 1381.54 (95% CI: 421.31–3621.06) and 43.11% higher rate of effectiveness (95% CI: 30.38–61.15) when compared with Rebif^®. In addition, the use of MABs was associated with higher cost but a better rate of effectiveness, with an average additional annual cost of USD 5717.88 (95% CI: 4970.75–8272.66) and 35% higher rate of effectiveness (95% CI: 10.0–42.50) when compared with orally administered agents. The use of MABs in the management of RRMS among the young patient population has shown to be the most effective therapy in comparison to both IFN-based therapy (e.g., Rebif^®) and orally administered agents, but with higher cost. Orally administered agents resulted in better outcomes and lower costs in comparison to IFN-based therapy. Future studies should further examine the cost-effectiveness of different disease-modifying therapies for the management of RRMS using more robust study designs.

How have Economic Evaluations in Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis Evolved Over Time? A Systematic Literature Review

INTRODUCTION

The introduction of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) over the last two decades has prompted the economic assessments of these treatments by reimbursement authorities. The aim of this systematic literature review was to evaluate the modeling approach and data sources used in economic evaluations of DMTs for RMS, identify differences and similarities, and explore how economic evaluation models have evolved over time.

METHODS

MEDLINE®, Embase®, and EBM Reviews databases were searched using Ovid® Platform from database inception on 25 December 2019 and subsequently updated on 17 February 2021. In addition, health technology assessment agency websites, key conference proceedings, and gray literature from relevant websites were screened. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Drummond and Philips checklists.

RESULTS

A total 155 publications and 30 Health Technology Assessment (HTA) reports were included. Most of these were cost-utility analysis (73 studies and 25 HTA reports) and funded by medicines manufacturers (n = 65). The top three countries where studies were conducted were the USA (n = 29), the UK (n = 16), and Spain (n = 10). Studies predominantly used Markov cohort models (94 studies; 25 HTAs) structured based on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) with 21 health states (20 studies; 12 HTA reports). The London Ontario and British Columbia data sets were commonly used sources for natural history data (n = 33; n = 13). Twelve studies and ten HTAs from the UK assumed a waning of DMT effect over the long term, while this was uncommon in studies from other countries. Nineteen studies adjusted for multiple sclerosis (MS)-specific mortality estimates, while 18 studies used data from the national life table without adjustment. Studies prominently referred to mortality data that were about two decades old. The data on treatment effect was generally obtained from randomized controlled trials (43 studies; 7 HTAs) or from published evidence synthesis (23 studies; 24 HTAs). Utility estimates were derived from either published studies and/or supplemented with data from RCTs. Most of the models used the lifetime horizon (n = 37) with a 1-year cycle length (n = 63).

CONCLUSION

As expected, similarities as well as differences were observed across the different economic models. Available evidence suggests models should continue using the Markov cohort model with 21 EDSS-based states, however, allowing the transition to a lower EDSS state and assuming a sustained treatment effect. With reference to the data sources, models should consider using a contemporary MS-specific mortality data, recent natural history data, and country-specific utility data if available. In case of data unavailability, a sensitivity analysis using multiple sources of data should be conducted. In addition, future models should incorporate other clinically relevant outcomes, such as the cognition, vision, and psychological aspects of RMS, to be able to present the comprehensive value of DMTs.

Teriflunomide in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: outcomes by age and pre-treatment status

Background and aims:

To investigate effectiveness and safety of teriflunomide (14 mg once daily) in association with age and pre-treatment in unselected MS patients.

Methods:

Prespecified analysis of a non-interventional, prospective, real-world study in Germany.

Results:

A total of 558 (49.5%) patients were above 45 years old, and 593 patients (52.6%) had been pre-treated within 6 months prior to teriflunomide. Baseline Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was higher with older age, with lower number of relapses. Relapse rate decreased in all age groups, and in both treatment-naïve (0.82 ± 0.73 at baseline; 0.25 ± 0.55 under teriflunomide) and pre-treated (from 0.48 ± 0.76; 0.22 ± 0.50) patients after 12 months compared with the year before teriflunomide initiation. EDSS remained stable in patients of all age groups as well as in therapy-naïve and pre-treated patients over 24 months. The percentage of patients with adverse events (AEs) ranged between 29.2% (age group >25–35) and 38.9% (age group >55–65), with an increased discontinuation rate (most commonly due to diarrhoea, alopecia and nausea) in the higher age groups. AE rates were lower in pre-treated compared with treatment-naïve patients.

Conclusion:

Overall, patients of all age groups including older patients, and irrespective of pre-treatment, benefit from teriflunomide treatment in routine clinical practice.

Registration:

BfArM public study database number 2075.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Hepatic Arterial Infusion of FOLFOX Combined Sorafenib for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma With Portal Vein Invasion

Background

Hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of oxaliplatin, leucovorin, and fluorouracil (FOLFOX) plus sorafenib has a more desirable effect versus sorafenib for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with portal vein invasion. However, considering the high cost of hepatic arterial infusion of chemotherapy (HAIC), this study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of HAIC plus sorafenib (SoraHAIC) versus standard care for HCC patients from the Chinese health system perspective.

Methods

A Markov multi-state model was constructed to simulate the disease course and source consumption of SoraHAIC. Costs of primary therapeutic drugs were calculated based on the national bid price, and hepatic artery catheterization fee was collected from the Fujian Provincial Price Bureau. Clinical data, other costs, and utility values were extracted from references. Primary outcomes included life-years (LYs), quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). The robustness of model was verified by uncertainty sensitivity analyses.

Results

SoraHAIC gained 1.18 QALYs (1.68 LYs) at a cost of $65,254, while the effectiveness and cost of sorafenib were 0.52 QALYs (0.79 LYs) and $14,280, respectively. The ICER of SoraHAIC vs sorafenib was $77,132/QALY ($57,153/LY). Parameter that most influenced the ICER was utility of PFS state. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA) showed that SoraHAIC was not cost-effective in the WTP threshold of 3*Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita of China ($30,492/QALY). But about 38.8% of the simulations were favorable to SoraHAIC at the WTP threshold of 3*GDP per capita of Beijing ($72,000/QALY). When 3*GDP per capita of Fujian ($47,285/QALY) and Gansu Province ($14,595/QALY) were used as WTP threshold, the acceptability of SoraHAIC was 0.3% and 0%, respectively.

Conclusions

The study results indicated that SoraHAIC was not cost-effective in medium-, and low-income regions of China. In developed areas of China (Beijing), there was a 38.8% probability that the SoraHAIC regimen would be cost-effective.

Incorporating patients' preferences in the value assessment of disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis: a narrative review

Introduction: Despite the increasing role of patients in the US healthcare system, patients have yet been engaged in the value assessment of their treatments, including disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for multiple sclerosis (MS). The objectives of this review were therefore to summarize existing studies on cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) with quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and patients' preferences of DMTs for MS, and to discuss how to incorporate patients' preferences into the value assessment of DMTs.Area covered: We reviewed previous systematic reviews and conducted further search until November 2020 for studies on CEA with QALYs and patients' preferences of DMTs for MS. We identified the outcomes that were assessed or valued in the CEA studies and the DMT attributes that were important to patients with MS.Expert opinion: Our literature review showed that the studies using CEA with QALYs failed to capture some important DMT attributes, e.g., route and frequency of administration, identified in the studies on the patients' preferences. Various approaches were available for incorporating the patients' preferences in the value assessment of DMTs for MS. We supported this incorporation, which subsequently would increase patient access to preferred DMTs.