Cost-effectiveness of perampanel for the treatment of primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (PGTCS) in epilepsy: A Spanish perspective.

BACKGROUND: Persistent seizures are associated with physical injury, reduced quality of life, and psychosocial impairment. Perampanel is approved for the adjunctive treatment of primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (PGTCS). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the cost-effectiveness of perampanel as adjunctive therapy to other antiepileptic drugs (AED) compared with AED maintenance therapy alone for the treatment of PGTCS. METHODS: We developed a Markov model for PGTCS where transitions were based on treatment response rates. The analysis was conducted over a 33-year time horizon from the Spanish National Health Service (NHS) and societal perspectives. Efficacy data were derived from clinical studies. Resource use, market shares, costs, and utilities were obtained from Kantar Health's National Health and Wellness Survey. Drug costs were obtained from the Consejo General de Colegios Oficiales de Farmacéuticos. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed. RESULTS: In the base case analysis from the NHS perspective, perampanel was associated with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of €16,557/quality-adjusted life year (QALY) relative to AED maintenance therapy for the treatment of PGTCS. Incremental costs were €5475 and incremental QALYs were 0.33. In one-way sensitivity analyses, the ICERs were strongly influenced by discounting rate for costs and health effects, with little influence of other parameters, including perampanel cost and utilities. In probabilistic sensitivity analyses, the probability of perampanel being cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of €30,000/QALY was 89.3%. From the societal perspective, perampanel provided a cost-savings of €5288 per patient compared with AED maintenance therapy alone. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that perampanel is likely to be a cost-effective option.

A pharmacoeconomic analysis of the impact of therapeutic drug monitoring in adult patients with generalized tonic-clonic epilepsy.

AIMS: To carry out a retrospective pharmacoeconomic analysis of the impact of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in adult patients with generalized tonic-clonic epilepsy in an academic, non profit making organization. METHODS: Twenty-five patients who had undergone TDM were compared with 25 age, disease and duration of drug therapy matched controls who had not undergone TDM. Only direct costs were calculated. These included cost to the hospital of providing the TDM service, cost to the hospital per seizure saved, and cost to the patient per seizure saved. RESULTS: Patients undergoing TDM had much more effective seizure control (P = 0.00032, OR 4.846, 95% confidence interval 1.29,18.3), fewer adverse events, better earning and were more likely to be married than the control group. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with adult onset epilepsy, a minimum of two drug estimations per year offers significant benefit in terms of better seizure control, fewer adverse events and greater chances of remission.

Economic analysis of epilepsy treatment: a cost minimization analysis comparing carbamazepine and lamotrigine in the UK.

New anti-epileptic drugs differ from existing standard therapies not in their clinical efficacy, but in their side-effects profiles. To determine the relative economic value of these agents, one must compare drug costs, costs of resources employed in the management of adverse events, and costs associated with therapeutic switching. In this economic analysis, carbamazepine (CBZ) and lamotrigine (LTG) are evaluated in monotherapy treatment of partial and/or general tonic-clonic seizures in the UK. Adverse event and tolerability data are obtained from a published randomized controlled trial of CBZ vs. LTG. A Delphi panel of clinicians advised treatment patterns for adverse events. Cost data are obtained from public sources. Results show that CBZ therapy costs about one-third of LTG therapy (pound sterling 179 for CBZ vs. pound sterling 522 for LTG) even after the costs associated with the management of adverse events and therapeutic switching are considered.

Unnecessary emergency transport and care of grand mal seizures.

Every source quoted in this study has clearly refuted the need for emergency transport and care of an uncomplicated grand mal seizure in a managed epileptic patient. This review of a large patient population has determined that 27% of emergency department seizures were uncomplicated and occurred in patients already under care. This represented 0.25% of all emergency department visits and nearly $200,000 in claims to this managed care entity per year. Taking some statistical liberties, a national health care expenditure of $270,000,000 is suggested for this single abuse. It is hoped that further education of the public, medical community, and epileptic patients will produce a comfort level that permits decisions about emergency transport and care of seizures. These savings could translate into basic health insurance for thousands of our medically deprived citizens.