Cost-effectiveness of GRAZAX® for prevention of grass pollen induced rhinoconjunctivitis in Southern Europe

• Published in: Respiratory medicine Vol. 101; no. 9; pp. 1885 - 1894
• Main Authors: Canonica, G.W, Poulsen, P.B, Vestenbæk, U
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2007; Elsevier; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Allergen specific immunotherapy; Allergens - economics; Allergens - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Conjunctivitis, Allergic - economics; Conjunctivitis, Allergic - prevention & control; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Cost-effectiveness; Desensitization, Immunologic - economics; Desensitization, Immunologic - methods; Drug Costs - statistics & numerical data; Female; Grass allergen tablet; Grass pollen allergy; Health Resources - utilization; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Non tumoral diseases; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Pneumology; Poaceae; Pollen - immunology; Prospective Studies; Pulmonary/Respiratory; QALY; Quality-Adjusted Life Years; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal - economics; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal - prevention & control; Rhinoconjunctivitis; Tablets; Upper respiratory tract, upper alimentary tract, paranasal sinuses, salivary glands: diseases, semeiology; Europe; QALY; Grass pollen allergy; Rhinoconjunctivitis; Allergen specific immunotherapy; Cost-effectiveness; Grass allergen tablet; Allergy; Nose disease; Rhinitis; Conjunctiva disease; Conjunctivitis; Prevention; Immunotherapy; ENT disease; Tablet; Pollen; Public health; Cost efficiency analysis; Pneumology; Immunopathology; South; Eye disease; Treatment; Health economy; Dosage form; Allergen
• ISSN: 0954-6111; 1532-3064
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2007.05.003

Summary Background Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis is a global health problem. Around 14 million people in Spain, France, Italy, and Austria suffer from grass pollen induced allergic rhinitis. Standard care only provides symptoms relief, while allergen specific immunotherapy (SIT) treats the underlying cause of the disease. Grazax® from ALK-Abelló is a new, tablet-based, effective route of SIT for home treatment. The objective was to assess the cost-effectiveness of Grazax® in four Southern European countries. Methods A prospective pharmacoeconomic analyses was carried out alongside a multinational, clinical trial measuring the efficacy of Grazax® . Pooled data on resource use and health outcomes were collected. A societal perspective was adopted, and the analysis had a nine-year time horizon. The primary outcome measure was quality adjusted life years (QALYs). Results Grazax® was superior to standard care for all efficacy endpoints, including QALYs gained, and resulted in significantly less use of rescue medication and fewer hours missed from work. Grazax® was cost-effective for all countries for an annual price in the range of €1500–€1900. The result was improved by inclusion of future costs of asthma and exclusion of Spanish trial centers which experienced an exceptionally low pollen season. Conclusion The analysis illustrates that allergen SIT with Grazax® for grass pollen induced rhinoconjunctivitis is a cost-effective intervention in Southern Europe.