Cost–effectiveness of strontium ranelate for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis

Abstract

Strontium ranelate has been introduced recently for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in Europe and in many countries worldwide. This article reviews the published cost–effectiveness literature pertaining to strontium ranelate. Six studies were identified: two in the UK, two in Belgium and two in Sweden. The findings were consistent across the literature, suggesting that strontium ranelate is a cost-saving drug for women with osteoporosis aged over 80 years, and it is a cost-effective treatment compared with no treatment for osteoporotic women aged over 70 years and for younger women with clinical risk factors for fragility fracture. Strontium ranelate was also shown to be cost effective compared with branded risedronate in osteoporotic women aged over 75 years. Further analyses are required to assess the effectiveness and adherence to strontium ranelate in real-life settings, as well as to evaluate the cost–effectiveness of strontium ranelate in other countries and in populations of men.

Keywords::

• cost–effectiveness
• osteoporosis
• strontium ranelate
• treatment

Financial & competing interests disclosure

No funding was provided to assist in the preparation of this review. Mickaël Hiligsmann, Olivier Bruyère and Jean-Yves Reginster have previously been involved in projects on strontium ranelate and have received research grants, lecture fees and/or consulting fees from the manufacturer ‘Les Laboratories Servier’. The manufacturer did not provide funding for this review nor was involved in its conception, development or writing. 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.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.