Cost-effectiveness of empegfilgrastim (Extimia®) for the prevention of severe neutropenia in patients with malignant neoplasm of female breast

• Published in: Sovremennaia onkologiia : zhurnal kafedry onkologii RMAPO dlia nepreryvnogo poslediplomnogo obrazovaniia Vol. 18; no. 2; pp. 48 - 51
• Main Authors: Rudakova, A.V., Tolkacheva, D.G., Gavrilova, O.N., Vaganov, A.S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Russian
• Published: IP Habib O.N 01.06.2016
• Subjects: breast cancer; cost-effectiveness; empegfilgrastim; filgrastim; neutropenia
• ISSN: 1815-1434; 1815-1442
• DOI: 10.26442/1815-1434_2016.2.48-51

Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), particularly filgrastim, significantly reduces the chance of developing side effects of chemotherapy. Pegylated G-CSF products are characterized as longer-acting drugs in comparison with non-pegylated forms. The aim of the study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of pegylated filgrastim (Russia) - empegfilgrastim (Extimia®) in comparison with non-pegylated filgrastim (Leucostim®). Material and methods. The assessment was conducted from the position of health systems based on the results of double-blind randomized trial concerning the comparison between Russian preparations such as empegfilgrastim and filgrastim using for the prevention of neutropenia in patients with breast cancer. Costs for G-CSF have been calculated on the basis of registered cost for non-pegylated filgrastim (Leucostim®) and anticipated costs for empegfilgrastim (in both cases - including VAT with 10% markup). Horizon scanning is first cycle of chemotherapy. Results. Empegfilgrastim (Extimia®), used for the prevention of severe neutropenia, reduces the impacts on budget by 9.2% in comparison with filgrastim (Leucostim®). Costs for each patient without grade 4 neutropenia were 62.5% lower on using empegfilgrastim in comparison with filgrastim. Conclusions. Empegfilgrastim has the same therapeutic efficacy, as well as pharmacoeconomic advantages in comparison with non-pegylated filgrastim, reducing impacts on a budget and can be recommended to be used in clinical practice.