The economic burden of TNFα inhibitors and other biologic treatments in Norway

Abstract

Objective:

Costly biologic therapies have improved function and quality of life for patients suffering from rheumatic and inflammatory bowel diseases. In this survey, we aimed to document and analyze the costs.

Methods:

In 2008, the total costs of tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors and other biologic agents in Norway were registered prospectively. In addition to costs, the pattern of use in the four Norwegian health regions was analyzed. The expenses were calculated in Norwegian krone and converted into Euros.

Results:

The pattern of use was similar in all four regions, indicating that national guidelines are followed. Whereas the cost was similar in the southeast, western, and central regions, the expenses per thousand inhabitants were 1.56 times higher in the northern region. This indicates that patients in the northern region experienced a lower threshold for access to these drugs. The gap in costs between trusts within northern Norway was about to be closed. The Departments of Rheumatology and Gastroenterology had the highest consumption rates.

Conclusion:

The total cost of biologic agents was significant. Northern Norway had among the highest consumption rates worldwide. This can partly be explained. Further exploration calls for a national registry for the use of these drugs.

Keywords:

• TNFα inhibitors
• biologic agents
• Norway
• cost

Introduction

Over the last few years, patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and skin diseases (psoriasis, pyoderma gangrenosum, Bechet’s disease) have experienced a significant improvement in disease activity, development of damage, and quality of life due to new therapies. In parallel, health care administrators have experienced a significant increase in the cost of treatment due to the costly new biologic therapies tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) inhibitors and other biologic agents. Due to this challenge, in 2006, the Ministry of Health and Care Services and Norwegian Directorate of Health took an initiative to develop guidelines for the use of these drugs. In this setting, cost-effective treatment and similar access to therapy within the Norwegian regions were the main focus of the national health authorities. Furthermore, patients’ access was based on specific selection criteria published as national guidelines.^1–4 The guidelines (Table 1) were made by national groups with representatives from the Norwegian Medicines Agency; Norwegian Knowledge Centre for the Health Services; Norwegian associations for rheumatologists, dermatologists, and gastroenterologists; Norwegian Regional Health Authority trusts; and Norwegian Directorate of Health. According to these guidelines, TNFα antagonists are generally considered as second- and/or third-line therapy. For example, patients suffering from RA are considered candidates for this therapy when the disease is active and they do not respond to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) (ie, methotrexate), antiflogistics, or intra-articular injection of steroids. A similar indication has been made for PsA and AS. Regular follow-ups are requested on a clinical as well as an economic basis, with the first check-up at 3 months. In cases of no clinical effect, TNFα antagonist therapy should be stopped within 3 months after initiation. Furthermore, the inhibitors are considered second- or third-line therapy in patients suffering from Crohn’s disease (CD), ulcerous colitis (UC), and/or psoriatic disease.

Table 1 Recommendations on the use of tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors and other biologic agents in Norway as of January 2008 (www.lisnorway.no)

Disease	First choice	Second choice
Ankylosing spondylitis	Etanercept	Adalimumab
Rheumatoid arthritis
First line	Infliximab	Etanercept
Second line	Rituximab
Psoriatic disease	Efalizumab	Etanercept
Ulcerous colitis and fistulating Crohn’s disease	Infliximab
Crohn’s disease (serious)	Adalimumab	Infliximab

According to the order from the Department of Health, the four Norwegian Regional Health Authority trusts took over the financing of the TNFα inhibitors and other biologic therapy in June 2006. Consequently, the various pharmacies in Norway delivering these drugs to the patients (outpatient setting) and/or to the hospitals have their expenses refunded by the trusts. In northern Norway, the Regional Health Authority Trust constitutes four hospital trusts and one pharmacy trust. Due to the fact that hospital trusts now have to cover the expenses, they have a common concern about cost-effectiveness and whether national guidelines are followed and good clinical practice is achieved. Malpractice may be costly.

During the last few years, biologic therapies have caused a significant rise in the cost of therapy for rheumatic disorders and IBD. To compensate for this situation, national guidelines, summaries of present knowledge, and recommendations for therapy have been introduced.^1–5 These recommendations list the first and second choice of treatment. In this survey, we aimed to clarify the medical cost of these drugs in all Norwegian health regions and further elucidate the status in the northern region. We aimed to clarify whether patients in the various regions had similar access to biologic treatment and discuss strategies for follow-up of this high-cost therapy.

Materials and methods

In the time period between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008, the total cost of TNFα inhibitors and other biologic agents in Norway was registered prospectively by the Drug Procurement Cooperation (www.lisnorway.no) (DPC). This database has a nationwide coverage, includes all biologic drugs refunded by the specialist health care team, and is run in cooperation by the four Norwegian regional health authorities. The DPC’s main goal is to provide costly drugs to the hospital trusts at a low price by regularly announcing tenders for the supply. The expenses were calculated in Norwegian krone (NKr) and converted into Euros (€) at a rate of 1€ = 9.84 NKr based on data from the National Bank of Norway on December 30, 2008 (www.norges-bank.no). The figures were calculated in absolute amounts spent and adjusted to the number of inhabitants in each region. The total costs should have been correlated to the number of patients in each region, but there were no national incidence data available.

We also accessed data from the Northern Norway Regional Health Authority concerning resources spent in the region on TNFα inhibitors and other biologic agents. Data from each hospital trust for 2007 and 2008 were analyzed. Furthermore, the accounts at the University Hospital of North Norway (UNN) Trust were analyzed for 10 months (January–October) in 2007 and 2008, respectively.

Statistical analysis and authorization

Microsoft^® Office Excel 2007 (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA, USA) was used for the database and calculations.

Data implemented were derived from national public resources and aggregated data. We had no access to any individual patient data, and approval from the Regional Committees for Medical and Health Research Ethics (REK) was not necessary.

Results

The total expenditure on the TNFα inhibitors and other biologic agents in the four Norwegian health regions is shown in Figure 1 and Table 2. The cost pattern of the various drugs employed was similar in all regions. A somewhat more frequent use of etanercept in the western region was observed initially, but the discrepancy was minimized during the study period. The national consumption pattern disclosed corresponds well with the recommendations given by the Drug Procurement Cooperation (www.lisnorway.no) (Table 1). The economic resources spent in each region are illustrated in Table 2. The amount was significantly higher (1.56 times higher) in the northern region compared with the other regions. Employing the consumption rates revealed in the southeast, western, and central regions in northern Norway, the Northern Norway Regional Health Authority would have saved €5.5 million.

Figure 1 The figure illustrates the cost of tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors and other biologic agents in 2008 in the four Norwegian health regions. Costs are according to the 2008 pharmacy purchase price.

Table 2 The table shows the economic resources spent in 2008 on tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors and other biologic agents within Norway and its four health regions. Costs are in Euros (€) and according to the 2008 pharmacy purchase price

Region	Total cost (€)	Inhabitants^a	Cost (€)^b	Ratio
Southeast	48,658,883	2,598,136	18,728	0.91
Western	19,862,719	967,471	20,531	0.99
Central	13,227,446	653,290	20,247	0.98
Northern	14,892,173	462,237	32,218	1.56
Norway	96,641,220	4,681,134	20,645	1.00

Notes:

a National figures as of January 1, 2007.

b Cost per 1000 inhabitants.

Looking at the figures from the accounts of the four hospital trusts within northern Norway (Figure 2), the costs increased by 26%–54% (mean 34.5%) from 2007 to 2008, indicating a harmonization of the costs within the region. The two southern located trusts experienced a major increase of costs (Helgeland Hospital Trust 54%, Nordland Hospital Trust 42%) compared with the others (UNN Trust 26%, Finnmark Hospital Trust 32%). The cost per inhabitant in 2008 was still highest at the UNN Trust, but the gap was about to be closed. The figures (cost/1000 inhabitants) were Helgeland Hospital Trust €4002, Nordland Hospital Trust €4429, UNN Trust €5161, and Finnmark Hospital Trust €3575. These figures document minor differences in resources spent on TNFα inhibitors and other biologic agents within the northern region. Furthermore, people living “in the neighbourhood” of the university hospital seem to use these drugs more frequently than people living in other areas. However, this statement has to be handled with significant caution and should be considered within the framework that the UNN Trust serves as a regional university hospital for northern Norway and frequently takes part in research projects on new drugs. Inpatient therapy costs are taken care of by the hospital trust itself. Thus, patients referred from other areas of northern Norway and treated as inpatients will influence the balance of costs between hospitals. In a similar way, the Nordland Hospital Trust serves as a central hospital in the county of Nordland and supports the Helgeland Hospital Trust in its care of these patients.

Figure 2 The figure shows the total economic resources spent on tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors and other biologic agents at the four hospital trusts in northern Norway in 2007 and 2008. The costs are according to the trusts’ accounts and shown in Euros (€).

Focusing on the departments at the UNN Trust, we disclosed the Departments of Rheumatology and Gastroenterology as the major consumers of these drugs. The Department of Gastroenterology spent €758,346 and €1,022,181 on these drugs during the first 10 months in 2007 and 2008, respectively (an annual increase of 35%). The corresponding figures at the Department of Rheumatology were €1,602,281 and €1,861,079, indicating a 16% annual increase. These two departments accounted for three-quarters of all resources spent on TNFα inhibitors and other biologic agents at the UNN Trust.

Discussion

In this study, we have documented a similar pattern of use of various TNFα inhibitors and other biologic agents in all Norwegian health regions. The amount spent on these drugs in northern Norway was more than 1.5 times higher than in the other Norwegian health regions. A subgroup analysis revealed that most resources were spent in rheumatology and gastroenterology. The latter had the fastest growth of costs.

The similar pattern of use indicated that national guidelines were followed.^1–5 This was probably due to the fact that clinicians have taken an active part in the development of guidelines. The “obedience to guidelines” will be important when the new tender for the supply of biologic agents is announced. A common national strategy for the use of these drugs is of utmost importance (to achieve maximum value for money) when negotiating with pharmaceutical companies.

The cost-effectiveness of the biologic agents has been the focus of several investigators.^6–14 According to Brennan et al⁶ and Chen et al⁷ figures in rheumatology (after RA patients have failed at least two traditional DMARDs) have been calculated at around £24,000 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for etanercept has been reported to be lower (£24,000/QALY) than the corresponding figures of adalimumab (£30,000/QALY) and infliximab (£38,000/QALY), respectively.⁷ However, these figures should be viewed with caution, as drug prices vary between countries and over time.

Concerning AS, cost-effectiveness analyses have led to diverging results.^10,11 McLeod et al¹⁰ concluded that none of the three anti-TNFα agents (adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab) was likely to be considered cost-effective. Bravo Vergel and Hawkins¹¹ concluded that only etanercept (£26,361/QALY) remained cost-effective.

The cost-effectiveness issue in the treatment of IBD has been the focus of at least four different groups.^12–15 They all investigated TNFα inhibitors in the treatment of CD. We did not reveal any economic analysis involving UC. Arseneau et al¹² calculated the cost/QALY between $355,450 and $377,000 and concluded that the ICER of infliximab for treating CD perianal fistulae over a 1-year period may not justify the higher cost. Clark et al¹³ compared infliximab and placebo. The ICER figures for chronic active CD were calculated as £6700, £10,400, and £84,400/QALY, depending on whether it was a single-dose treatment, retreatment, or maintenance treatment, respectively. In fistulating CD, the cost/QALY was calculated to be £102,000 to £123,000 and £82,000 to £96,000 for the most favorable retreatment assumptions. Similar figures have been shown by others.^13–15 All these reports documented that maintenance treatment using infliximab was not cost-effective in the case of CD. In this setting, the annual increase of total costs (35%) of TNFα inhibitors at the Department of Gas-troenterology at the UNN Trust should be further analyzed. Most likely, this is caused by a new indication of UC, which together with CD is the main indication of anti-TNF in gastrointestinal diseases.

In northern Norway, the expenses per inhabitant were significantly higher than in all other regions. We did not reveal any increasing cost pattern from south to north within the northern region. Jönsson et al¹⁶ investigated international differences in the use of TNFα inhibitors and disclosed that the US had the most expensive use of these drugs, with Norway not far behind. Norway spent almost three times the average of the western European countries and Canada. The reason behind this has been difficult to elucidate. It has been suggested that a focus on the societal rather than a health care cost prospective may be one of the explanations.¹⁶ The notable sequelas of uncontrolled rheumatic inflammation include joint damage and functional disability, which, in turn, cause severe economic consequences not only to the patients and their families but also to society. Therefore, pharmacoeconomic analysis should take into account all relevant costs.¹⁷

A possible explanation for the significant spending of these drugs in northern Norway may be a higher incidence of IBD (personal communication from Professor Jon Florholmen, UNN) and rheumatologic disease.^18,19 A somewhat higher incidence of AS has been reported in northern Norway.²⁰ Moreover, AS is the disease with better survival on TNF inhibitors in comparison with RA and PsA.²¹ Looking at IBD, a difference between north and south in Europe has been reported, although the gap is being reduced as the incidence of IBD is increasing in southern Europe while it is stable in the north.²² However, known differences in prevalence and incidence cannot fully explain the different pattern of use within Norway. However, the clinical impression is that IBD is more frequent and more severe in the northern region than in the southern part of Norway (personal communication from Professor Jon Florholmen, UNN). Unpublished data from the Norwegian Disease-modifying Antirheumatic Drug Register on all disease-modifying treatment given to patients with RA, PsA, and AS have shown that the center representing north Norway (UNN) is not more liberal in starting treatment with TNF inhibitors than centers located in the southern and central regions. This is shown by the disease activity at onset of treatment, measured by Disease Activity Score 28, and by number of prior DMARDs at onset of TNF inhibitor treatment.

A third explanation could be that the institutions in the north are at the forefront of modern therapy in this setting and the time gap will be closed as the other regions change their practice. During the study period, we did not reveal any sign of a gap being closed, but the study period was short.

Furthermore, the distinctive characteristic of northern Norway may explain some of the differences in cost. This region constitutes half of the area of Norway but includes only 10% of the population. With a scattered population, cost of travel is significant. Keeping this fact in mind, clinicians may be less concerned about keeping patients off TNFα inhibitors because these drugs usually offer the best symptom control and consequently cost of travel may be avoided. An alternative treatment, repeated intra-articular injections by corticosteroids for patients with arthritis, would imply considerably more traveling in north Norway.

It could be speculated that the introduction of TNFα inhibitors may decrease consumption of other health care resources and therefore should be encouraged. This was not observed by Juillard-Condat et al.²³ However, other investigators have shown savings in this setting. In a Dutch study, Welsing et al²⁴ concluded that the greater effectiveness of the TNFα inhibitors reduced medical and nonmedical costs compared with usual treatment by about 16% and 33%, respectively. Costs related to arthroplasty are significant in rheumatic disease. The Norwegian Orthopaedic Association started the Norwegian Arthroplasty Register in 1987.²⁵ The register was extended to include arthroplasties in all joints in 1994. The aim of the registry was to detect inferior implants, cements, and operation techniques as early as possible. In the future, the need for arthroplasty and possible savings, following the introduction of biologic agents, should be focused on. An increase in total cost of disease due to TNFα inhibitors was established in a Danish study.²⁶ This study concluded that the implementation of TNFα inhibitors in the treatment of RA would impose additional cost per year on the Danish health care service in the range of €67 million to €188 million for a progressive scenario.

Conclusion

Northern Norway has among the highest consumption rates of biologic agents worldwide. This can partly be explained. Health care budgets in Norway have been put under high pressure over the last few years, and resources have been allocated to achieve maximum value for money. The pressure has been even stronger during recent months due to the worldwide financial crisis. In this setting, raised expenses on drugs (such as TNFα inhibitors) have to be covered by savings in other settings. There is currently a need for health care administrators to get an overview of the use of TNFα inhibitors and other biologic agents in the treatment of IBD, skin diseases, and rheumatic disease. This situation calls for a national prescription database and/or a registry that makes it possible to compare the estimated annual cost and number of patients treated, time on therapy, actual cost per patient, and number of patients with a prescription for a defined time period. The registry should also include data on disease activity and damage, quality of life, and working capacity and disability. Especially in the care of IBD, maintenance therapy must be avoided from a cost-effectiveness point of view.

Acknowledgements

We thank colleagues at the Nordland Hospital, University Hospital of North Norway, and Hospital Pharmacy Trust for sharing their experience during a seminar on this topic in late October 2008. Their comments were of great value to us. The assistance given by Arnborg Ramsvik at the Northern Norway Regional Health Authority in Bodø is also greatly appreciated.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.