PharmacoEconomics & Outcomes News 667 - 24 Nov 2012

Searching for cost-effectiveoptions in Italy

Two studies conducted by the UVEF Regional DrugCoordination Centre in Verona, Italy, addressed the costeffectiveness of nab-paclitaxel, a new formulation ofpaclitaxel, in the treatment breast cancer and that ofcabazitaxel in the treatment of prostate cancer. In bothstudies, the analyses were performed from theperspective of the Regional Health Service. Only thecosts of chemotherapy were quantified.

The first study assessed the cost effectiveness of nab-paclitaxel as second-line treatment, 300 mg/m2 givenevery 3 weeks, compared with conventional paclitaxel175 mg/m2 given every 3 weeks, for patients with breastcancer for whom anthracyclines are not indicated.1Survival data were obtained from a pivotal study.

Treatment with nab-paclitaxel prolonged survival by0.186 years at a cost increase of €6525, compared withconventional paclitaxel. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was €35 077 per life-yeargained (LYG).

The second study assessed the cost effectiveness ofcabazitaxel, compared with mitoxantrone, in patientswith metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer,previously treated with a docetaxel-containing regimen.2Survival data were obtained from the TROPIC trial.

Treatment with cabazitaxel prolonged survival by0.20 years at a cost increase of €18 785, compared withmitoxantrone. The ICER was €93 925/LYG. "ThePharmacy and Therapeutic Committee of the VenetoRegion expressed a negative opinion to the inclusion ofthe drug in the Regional Drug Hospital Formulary", saythe researchers.1. Maran PR, et al. Cost Effectiveness Analysis in the Veneto Region of Nab-

Paclitaxel Monotherapy II Line Versus Conventional Paclitaxel in Patients withBreast Cancer and for Whom Anthracyclines Are not Indicated. 15th AnnualEuropean Conference of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics andOutcomes Research : abstr. PCN77, 3 Nov 2012.

2. Maran PR, et al. Cost Effectiveness Analysis in the Veneto Region ofCabazitaxel Versus Mitoxantrone in Patients with Metastatic HormoneRefractory Prostate Cancer, Previously Treated with a Docetaxel ContainingRegimen. 15th Annual European Conference of the International Society forPharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research : abstr. PCN83, 3 Nov 2012.

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PharmacoEconomics & Outcomes News 24 Nov 2012 No. 6671173-5503/10/0667-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved