Cost per PASI-75 responder of calcipotriol plus betamethasone dipropionate cutaneous foam versus nonbiologic systemic therapies for the treatment of plaque psoriasis in seven European countries

Abstract

Purpose

To compare the short-term cost and effectiveness of calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate (Cal/BD) cutaneous foam against nonbiologic systemics in psoriasis patients for whom oral systemic or topical therapy is considered appropriate in seven European countries.

Methods

Matching-adjusted indirect comparisons of four-week PASI-75 responses of Cal/BD foam were performed versus 12-week responses of methotrexate, acitretin, fumaric acid esters (FAE) and 16-week responses of apremilast. Analyses took a payer perspective and included drug, physician visit and monitoring costs.

Results

In all countries, Cal/BD foam generated the lowest cost per responder (CPR). Against methotrexate, apremilast and acitretin, Cal/BD foam generated response for less than €190 in Italy, €195 in Portugal, €216 in Greece, £218 in the United Kingdom, €250 in Belgium, €319 in Spain, and €359 in the Netherlands. Relative to treatment with FAE, Cal/BD foam resulted in response for less than €298, €430, €382 and £262 in Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom, respectively. For Cal/BD foam, apremilast and FAE, total costs were driven by drug costs; for methotrexate and acitretin, by monitoring.

Conclusions

Driven by its lower costs and high response rates, Cal/BD foam is likely to be a cost-effective option over the short-term in the investigated psoriasis population.

Keywords:

• Psoriasis
• calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate cutaneous foam
• topical therapy
• systemic therapy
• cost per response

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Fatima Salih for editorial support and Jana Tillotson for graphic design support during the preparation of this article.

Disclosure statement

Deepak Balak is a consultant/speaker for AbbVie, Almirall, Celgene, Janssen, LEO Pharma, Novartis, Sanofi-Genzyme, and has received research grants from LEO Pharma. Jose-Manuel Carrascosa has participated as invited speaker, advisor and principal and site investigator in clinical trials for Abbvie, Almirall, Celgene, Gebro, Janssen, LEO Pharma, Lilly, Novartis and Pfizer. Piergiacomo Calzavara-Pinton has served as an advisory board member for Abbvie, Almirall, Galderma, LEO Pharma, Meda, Pierre Fabre, and Sanofi. Stamatis Gregoriou and Joana Antunes have been invited speakers for LEO Pharma. Antony Bewley declared no conflict of interest. Martin Nyeland was an employee of LEO Pharma at the time the analysis was undertaken. Marta Viola and Laura Sawyer are employed by Symmetron Limited, which received funding from LEO Pharma for this research. Lidia Becla is an employee of LEO Pharma.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by LEO Pharma A/S.