Cost‐effectiveness analysis of delgocitinib in adult patients with atopic dermatitis in Japan

Objectives This study evaluated the cost‐effectiveness of delgocitinib relative to moisturization therapy in adult patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. Methods The analysis was performed by using the simulation model with the patient‐level data from a phase 3 study and its longterm extension study (QBA4‐1 Study). The analysis was conducted from the Japanese public healthcare payer's perspective and included only direct medical costs. Health outcomes were evaluated by quality‐adjusted life years. The time horizon of the analysis was one year and no discount rate was applied. In this analysis model, health states were divided into four according to the Investigator's Global Assessment score. The cost‐effectiveness was determined by the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio using the willingness‐to‐pay threshold of 5 million JPY/quality‐adjusted life years. A probabilistic sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate the uncertainty of each parameter used for the analysis. Results Total cost and quality‐adjusted life years gained were 358,810 JPY and 0.867 quality‐adjusted life years for delgocitinib, and 85,890 JPY and 0.798 quality‐adjusted life years for moisturization therapy, respectively. The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio of delgocitinib relative to moisturization therapy was estimated to be 3.92 million JPY/quality‐adjusted life years. The probability of incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio of delgocitinib vs moisturization therapy being below 5 million JPY/quality adjusted life years was 79.1%. Conclusions Delgocitinib was rated as a cost‐effective treatment relative to moisturization therapy in adults with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. Data comparing the drug for reducing inflammation is required.