Etonogestrel-releasing subdermal contraceptive implant: Budget impact analysis based on the Brazilian private healthcare system.

High rates of unplanned pregnancies persist despite pharmacological developments and advancements in contraceptive methods. Here, we demonstrate that the etonogestrel-releasing subdermal contraceptive implant (IMP-ETN) may be an appropriate and cost-effective alternative to levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine systems (LNG-IUSs) for women in Brazil. For our pharmacoeconomic analysis, we reviewed the literature on IMP-ETN regarding its acceptance, eligibility criteria, choice, relations with age, adverse events and, finally, the unmet need in the fee-for-service private healthcare sector. We considered qualitative observations in combination with quantitative analysis and performed a deterministic sensitivity analysis to investigate whether this technology can be self-sustainable over a period of five years. The target population for this analysis comprised 158,696 women. Compared with the continued use of LNG-IUSs, adopting the IMP-ETN can result in a cost avoidance of $ 7.640.804,02 in the first year and $ 82,455,254.43 in five years. Disseminating information among physicians will promote this change and strengthen the potential cost avoided by private health system payers. These savings can be used to improve other healthcare programs and strategies. Moreover, the principles of care can be promoted by improving and adapting healthcare systems and expanding treatment and follow-up strategies. This would also provide support to women's reproductive rights and improve their quality of life. Our results suggest that the IMP-ETN has a favorable cost-effectiveness profile. Given all its advantages and negative incremental cost impact over a period of five years, the IMP-ETN may be a more favorable alternative to LNG-IUSs. Therefore, it should be offered to beneficiaries with a private healthcare plan. This analysis overcomes previous barriers to the use of cost-benefit models, and our results may help balance decision-making by policymakers, technical consultants, and researchers.

Análise de custo-efetividade de um painel genético no câncer de mama precoce na saúde suplementar brasileira / Cost-effectiveness analysis of a genetic panel in early breast cancer in Brazilian supplementary health

Objetivo: Avaliar o custo-efetividade do uso de um painel genético de 21 genes em pacientes adultas diagnosticadas com câncer de mama em estádio inicial em uma operadora de saúde com mais de 500.000 vidas. Métodos: Foi utilizada uma coorte prospectiva seguida de um estudo de custo-efetividade entre os pacientes que utilizaram Oncotype DX® em 2020. Calcularam-se as despesas totais de cada esquema de quimioterapia (QT), somando-se os custos dos produtos e taxas de infusão. Resultados: Das 35 pacientes que utilizaram o teste de 21 genes no período avaliado, 60% (n = 21) não necessitaram de QT. Quando aplicadas simulações, houve custo evitado de R$ -1.945.448,88 (custos incrementais potenciais de R$ -6.488.207,56 até R$ 443.485,26, dependendo do esquema de QT escolhido). Conclusão: A inserção do teste de 21 genes na jornada do tratamento de câncer de mama na saúde suplementar evidenciou significativa relevância, pois contribuiu com o uso adequado da terapêutica, garantindo a sustentabilidade do sistema de saúde. Apresentando-se como uma opção custo-efetiva para a maioria dos esquemas de QT em comparação com a sua não utilização no tratamento, para a saúde suplementar brasileira

Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the use of a genetic panel of 21 genes in adult patients diagnosed with early stage breast cancer in a healthcare provider with more than 500,000 lives. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted, followed by cost-effectiveness, among patients who used Oncotype DX® , in 2020. The total costs of each chemotherapy scheme (QT) were calculated, adding the costs of the products and infusion fees. Results: Of the 35 patients who used 21 gene tests in the evaluation period, 60% (n = 21) did not require QT. When simulations were applied, there was an avoided cost of R$ -1.945.448,88 (Potentials incremental costs from -R$ 6.488.207,56 to +R$ 443.485,26, depending on the chosen QT scheme). Conclusion: The insertion of 21-Gene recurrence score in the breast cancer treatment journey in supplementary health showed significant relevance, as it contributes to the appropriate use of therapy, guaranteeing the sustainability of the health system. Presenting itself as a cost-effective option for most QT schemes compared to not being used in treatment, for Brazilian supplementary health System

Custo-minimização da troca entre imunoglobulinas de diferentes vias e marcas: sustentabilidade relacionada ao tratamento na saúde suplementar / Cost minimizing the switching between immunoglobulin of different routes and brands: of treatment-related in the supplementary health

Objetivo: Avaliar custo-minimização da troca entre as versões intravenosa (IVIg) e subcutânea (SCIg) das imunoglobulinas (Ig) em operadora de saúde com mais de 500.000 vidas. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo, transversal, descritivo, seguido de custo-minimização entre os pacientes que utilizaram IVIg, de 1º de outubro de 2018 a 30 de setembro de 2019. Simulou-se a troca entre as IVIg e SCIg, objetivando descrever a economia de uma hipotética substituição. Estabeleceram-se como critérios de exclusão: o não pagamento e a liberação com dose acima de 60.000 mg. Após exclusão, calcularam-se as despesas totais, somando-se os custos do produto e taxas de infusão. Resultados: Evidenciou-se que 133 pacientes, totalizando 1.175 liberações, utilizaram IVIg no período avaliado. Identificou-se a utilização de 34.797.500 mg de IVIg, por 10 especialidades, totalizando R$ 12.408.192,50 de despesas. Quando aplicada simulação, há uma potencial economia de recursos de até 29,83%, dependendo da SCIg escolhida. Conclusão: A análise econômica no tratamento com imunoglobulinas evidenciou significativa relevância, pois contribui com o uso adequado da terapêutica garantindo a sustentabilidade do sistema de saúde. Medicamentos subcutâneos apresentam-se como uma opção custo-minimizatória em comparação ao tratamento intravenoso para saúde suplementar brasileira.

Objective: Cost-minimization evaluation of the switch from intravenous (IVIg) to subcutaneous (SCIg) immunoglobulin (Ig) in a Brazilian Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), with more than 500.000 lives. Methods: This is a retrospective, transversal and descriptive study, followed by a cost-minimization analysis among patients using IVIg between 2018, October, 1st and 2019, September, 30th. The simulation was performed supposing the exchange from IVIg to SCIg, in order to calculate possible savings. Exclusion criteria: non-payment (gloss), and infusions with doses above 60.000 miligrams. After exclusion, total expenditures were calculated by summing product and infusion costs. Results: There were133 patients, with1,175 IVIg infusion events in the period evaluated. It was identified the use of 34,797,500 milligrams of IVIg, for 10 specialties, with R$ 12,408,192.50 of final expenditure. The simulation previews hypothetical reduction in the final cost of up to 29.83%, depending on the SCIg brand chosen. Conclusion: The economic analysis in the treatment with immunoglobulins showed significant relevance, as it contributes to the appropriate use of therapy ensuring the sustainability of the health system. Subcutaneous drugs are a cost-minimizing option compared to intravenous treatment for Brazilian HMOs.

Efficacy of Interferon-Free Therapies for Chronic Hepatitis C: A Systematic Review of All Randomized Clinical Trials.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Second-generation direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have recently arisen as more effective and safer treatments for chronic hepatitis C. These drugs can be combined into treatments without interferon (IFN), and are therefore called IFN-free therapies. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study systematic review was to evaluate the efficacy of IFN-free therapies for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C, and thus increase the clinical evidence for these therapies. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with Cochrane Collaboration recommendations. A search was performed in six different electronic databases using 'clinical trials', 'hepatitis C' and 'interferon-free' as the main descriptors, and studies that conformed to the inclusion criteria had their data extracted, including study information, baseline characteristics, and efficacy outcomes (sustained virologic response, rapid virologic response, and virologic failure). RESULTS: Sixty-four randomized clinical trials including 15 different therapies were included in a total of 15,731 patients infected with the hepatitis C virus, mostly with genotype 1, and mainly treated for 12 or 24 weeks. The sustained virologic response rate after 12 weeks of treatment was approximately 89%, while the virologic failure rate was below 5%. CONCLUSIONS: Second-generation DAAs presented several advantages: virologic response values higher than the average achieved by previous IFN-based therapies, reduced treatment duration, and the possibility of different combinations of therapies to meet patient needs. Thus, IFN-free therapies appear to be valuable alternatives for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C.