Cost-Utility Analysis Comparing Ocrelizumab Versus Rituximab in the Treatment of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: The Colombian Perspective.

This study aimed to determine the cost-utility of ocrelizumab versus rituximab in patients with RRMS, from the perspective of the Colombian healthcare system. Cost-utility study based on a Markov model, with a 50-year horizon and payer perspective. The currency was the US dollar for the year 2019, with a cost-effectiveness threshold of $5180 defined for Colombian health system. The model used annual cycles according to the health status determined by the disability scale. Direct costs were considered, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio per 1 quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained was used as the outcome measure. A discount rate of 5% was applied to costs and outcomes. Multiple one-way deterministic sensitivity analyses and 10 000 Monte Carlo simulation were conducted. For the treatment of patients with RRMS, ocrelizumab versus rituximab had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $73 652 for each QALY gained. After 50 years, 1 subject treated with ocrelizumab earns 4.8 QALYs >1 subject treated with rituximab, but at a higher cost of $521 759 versus $168 752, respectively. Ocrelizumab becomes a cost-effective therapy if its price is discounted > 86% or if there is a high willingness to pay. Ocrelizumab was not a cost-effective drug as compared with rituximab in treating patients with RRMS in Colombia. • Ocrelizumab and rituximab are 2 anti-CD20 antibodies with similar effectiveness according to a network meta-analysis. Nevertheless, they have not been evaluated in a head-to-head study. • This is the first study evaluating the cost-effectiveness of ocrelizumab and rituximab. In different scenarios, ocrelizumab has proven not to be a cost-effective therapy; either its price needs be reduced significantly or there needs to be an increased willingness to pay for it to become cost-effective. • Rituximab could be a cost-saving therapy. Public policy decision makers should consider this information to facilitate the use of rituximab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]