Comparison of the cost-effectiveness of biologic drugs used for moderate-to-severe psoriasis treatment in the United States

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the cost-effectiveness of the newly approved biologic drug, brodalumab, with other commonly used biologics for the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis in the United States.Methods: An economic model was constructed in Excel to compare average costs to achieve Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 75, 90 and 100 among moderate-to-severe psoriasis patients treated with biologics. Total annual costs to health plans associated with treatment with five different biologics were estimated and cost-effectiveness compared using the estimated average cost per PASI 75, PASI 90 and PASI 100.Results: Total annual costs to a health plan per patient with adalimumab, brodalumab, ixekizumab, secukinumab and ustekinumab were estimated at $51,246, $38,538, $65,484, $57,510 and $57,013. Mean annual treatment costs per PASI 75, 90 and 100 were the lowest for brodalumab, with the annual cost per PASI 75 for brodalumab, adalimumab, ixekizumab, secukinumab and ustekinumab estimated at $48,782, $82,655, $77,957, $75,671 and $87,243, per PASI 90 at $51,383, $119,178, $94,904, $108,509 and $130,615, and per PASI 100 at $87,585, $284,702, $176,983, $205,393, and $366,645.Conclusions: Brodalumab, which had the lowest drug cost and high drug efficacy, was associated with the lowest cost per PASI 75, 90 and 100 among the biologics evaluated.