Lu L et al. Cost effectiveness of oromucosal cannabis-based medicine (sativex®) for spasticity in multiple sclerosis. Pharmacoeconomics. 2012 Dec 1;30(12):1157-71. doi: 10.2165/ 11598470 -000000000 -00000.
Background: Spasticity is common in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and is a major contributor to disability. Sativex®, an oromucosal spray containing cannabis-based medicinal products, has been found to be effective in reducing spasticity symptoms.
Objective: Our objective was to estimate the cost effectiveness of Sativex® plus oral anti-spasticity medicines compared with the current standard treatment for moderate or severe spasticity in MS in the UK.
Objective: Our objective was to estimate the cost effectiveness of Sativex® plus oral anti-spasticity medicines compared with the current standard treatment for moderate or severe spasticity in MS in the UK.
Methods: The costs and benefits of Sativex® plus oral anti-spasticity medicines or current standard treatment was assessed, based on their effects on the quality of life of patients. The main outcome was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) in terms of costs per additional QALY gained over 5 years of treatment. One-way, multi-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to explore the impact of uncertainties on the findings.
Results: In the base case, Sativex® plus oral anti-spasticity medicines resulted in incremental costs of £7600 and a QALY gain of 0.15 per person over 5 years (ICER = £49 300 per QALY).[year 2009 data for costs]. Findings were sensitive to the costs of Sativex® (price and dose) and differences in utilities between responders and non-responders.
Conclusions: Using a willingness-to-pay threshold of £30 000 per QALY, Sativex® appears unlikely to be considered cost effective by UK funders of healthcare for spasticity in MS. This is unfortunate, since it appears that Sativex® use is likely to benefit some patients in the management of this common consequence of MS.
Yet another example of Pharma greed?
This will not discourage MSers from going the illegal direction of taking "Pot", unless you live in Washington, USA where it is now legal...crazy. Is it biting them in the bum because they are not getting the prescriptions because the PCT's are not agreeing to fund because of its expense or is NICE just stalling?
CoI: We are attempting to develop an alternative anti-symptomatic
CoI: We are attempting to develop an alternative anti-symptomatic
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