Budget model for estimating economic impact of fluticasone propionate/salmeterol via Diskus® in an adult asthma population

Abstract

Rationale To estimate the economic impact of fluticasone propionate/salmeterol via Diskus® (FSC) as initial maintenance therapy in a population of adult patients (≥12 years) with persistent asthma. Methods A budget impact model was developed to assess the impact of increased substitution of FS for other asthma therapies. Input data were obtained from published literature and randomized controlled trials. The analysis was conducted from a third-party payer's perspective. The model uses a hypothetical health plan with 1 million members. Drug usage was based on market distribution for the base-case year with an assumed 10% increase of FS market share in the subsequent year. A sensitivity analysis varying the FS market share was performed. Proportionate transition of patients from other asthma therapies to FS was assumed in the base-case analysis. Results A total of 29,050 persons were estimated to seek treatment for persistent asthma in the health plan. It was found that a 10% increase in market share of FS would result in a monthly per asthma patient cost savings of $0.19 and a $0.01 for all enrollees. Sensitivity analysis, involving changing the incremental FS market share gain between 5% to 15% range, revealed that the budget impact remained in the cost saving zone over this pre-specified range (–$0.09 to –$0.28 per asthma patient per month, respectively). Conclusions This model demonstrates that the increased use of FS as therapy in patients with persistent asthma has a minimal impact on the overall budget of a large health plan, and may even reduce cost.