Cost effectiveness of management of mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis with 1% pimecrolimus cream in children and adolescents 2-17 years of age.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Atopic dermatitis (AD) has the potential to cause a long-term economic impact on patients, their families, and the healthcare system. OBJECTIVE: To determine if 1% pimecrolimus cream is cost-effective in treating mild-to-moderate AD in patients 2-17 years of age. METHODS: Data on the efficacy of AD management with 1% pimecrolimus cream (Elidel, Novartis Pharma GmbH, Wehr, Germany) were obtained from a 12-month, randomized, double-blind, multinational, controlled clinical trial comparing pimecrolimus and conventional therapy. Markov modeling was used for the economic model, based on (i) Investigator's Global Assessment scores assessed at each visit during the clinical trial; (ii) estimated costs for medication and physician visits for each level of disease severity; and (iii) utility values for each level of disease severity. The perspective was that of a third-party payer. RESULTS: In 2004 US dollars, the incremental cost-effectiveness of 1% pimecrolimus cream was 38,231 US dollars per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained compared with conventional therapy. Sensitivity analyses showed a range of 27,299 US dollarsto 63,457 US dollars per QALY gained. CONCLUSION: With an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of <50,000 US dollars per QALY gained, 1% pimecrolimus cream offers a cost-effective therapeutic option in the management of AD.