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ABSTRACT
Background: Severity of spasticity in multiple sclerosis (MS) directly correlates with the level and cost of care required. This study assessed whether a tetrahydrocannabinol/cannabidiol (THC/CBD) oromucosal spray for treatment of moderate-severe MS spasticity is a cost-effective use of healthcare resources in Wales.
Methods: A Markov model was developed to compare THC/CBD plus standard of care (SoC) treatments with SoC alone.
Results: At 30 years, total incremental cost for THC/CBD plus SoC treatment was estimated at £3,836/patient (ICER: £10,891/quality-adjusted life year [QALY]). Hospital admission costs had the greatest effect on the base case ICER. Inclusion of carer cost led to incremental cost of -£33,609/patient (ICER: -£95,423/QALY).
Conclusions: The THC/CBD spray was found to be cost-effective for the treatment of spasticity in MS, and dominant, if home carer costs were included. Use of THC/CBD has the potential to generate cost savings by significantly improving the symptoms of moderate to severe MS spasticity.
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge Julia Bárdos, PhD, Costello Medical Consulting, for writing assistance and administrative support for this manuscript.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors were supported by Bayer plc. A Gras is an employee of GfK UK Ltd and J Broughton is an employee of Bayer plc.The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
Supplemental Material
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