Potential budget impact of capecitabine versus 5-FU/LV as adjuvant chemotherapy for stage III (SIII) colon cancer in Canada and its provinces

Abstract

6581 Background: Adjuvant chemotherapy for SIII colon cancer is an accepted standard of care. Oral Capecitabine (CAP) has been shown to be at least equivalent and possibly superior to 5FU/LV (Mayo regimen) with regards to a superior relapse free survival. This new option is associated with a higher drug cost but improved toxicity profile and appears to be cost-effective (CE). An economic analysis was undertaken to examine the potential budget impact for CAP in Canada and its provinces for 2007 onwards. Methods: A previously developed cost-effectiveness model was adapted to a prevalence perspective to project the net budgetary impact of CAP over a 5 year horizon. The projected population and incidence of colon cancer for each Canadian province from 2007–2016 was obtained and the proportion of patients with SIII colon cancer suitable for adjuvant chemotherapy was estimated from the literature. The average budget impact in the first 5 years (start up phase) and subsequent years (steady state) was assessed in Canadian $. Results: The projected average annual impact for Canada is 13.9 million (M) during the start up phase and $11.8 M during the steady state phase (NL $210K, PEI $63K, NS $424K, NB $282K, QC $2.92M, ON $4.66M, MB $464K, SK $336K, AB $993K and BC 1.45M). Budget impact is greater during the initial start-up phase (2007–11), as the steady state impact (2012–16) includes relapses avoided over a 5-year period. Sensitivity analyses for key parameters will be provided. Conclusions: The annual budget impact of CAP decreases over time and reaches a steady state after 5 years when the full impact of decreased recurrences is captured. As CAP appears to be CE, budget impact analysis has the potential to assist in the planning of healthcare funding resources regarding this treatment option. [Table: see text]