Potential non-drug cost differences associated with the use of the fixed-dose combination of pertuzumab and trastuzumab for subcutaneous injection (PH FDC SC) in the treatment of HER2-positive early breast cancer patients in Western Europe and the United States.

Abstract

544 Background: In patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer (BC), pertuzumab (P) added to trastuzumab (T) and chemotherapy has been recognized as a standard-of-care, improving the risk of recurrence. P and T treatments can be given intravenously (PT IV) or, more recently, subcutaneously − via PH FDC SC. Both methods are comparable in terms of efficacy and safety profiles. However, PH FDC SC allows for a faster infusion than that of PT IV, and this can be associated with lower costs. The aim of this study is to estimate the incremental difference in non-drug costs between PH FDC SC and PT IV for a typical patient receiving treatment for HER2-positive early BC in Western Europe and the United States. Methods: A model-based cost-minimization analysis was performed to quantify mean non-drug cost differences per patient over a full course of therapy (18 cycles). Western Europe: costs in the analysis are based on an archetypal country, and explicitly include estimates for costs for patient chair time, active healthcare professional (HCP) time, usage of non-drug consumables, port-a-cath placement surgeries and patients’ productivity losses. Costs are calculated by multiplying the resource use by its corresponding unit price. Costing data were obtained from literature sources on T SC time and cost savings for Western European countries, and assumptions on PH FDC SC and PT IV times and costs. United States: non-drug costs for the two strategies were estimated using average net reimbursement amounts for relevant procedure codes for intravenous and SC therapy administration among commercial payers in the MarketScan databases. Results: PH FDC SC is estimated to reduce non-drug costs by 73% − 80% in Western Europe, and 75% in the United States. Total monetary non-drug savings per patient over 18 cycles of treatment are estimated in the range of €2,474 − €8,975 in Western Europe, and at $10,138 in the United States. In Western Europe, where the analysis allows for a disaggregation by cost category, cost savings related to savings in patient chair time (excluding patients’ productivity losses) are estimated to account for up to 62% of overall non-drug cost savings. Patients’ productivity losses are estimated to explain up to 11% of non-drug cost differences. Conclusions: The use of PH FDC SC for the treatment of HER2-positive BC can potentially result in substantial non-drug cost savings. These savings could easily derive in overall net cost savings to the healthcare system, contributing to the long-term sustainability of the healthcare spending, while still providing a safe and effective therapy.[Table: see text]