Ferric carboxymaltose for treatment of iron deficiency in heart failure patients from the supplementary health care system perspective: cost-effectiveness and budgetary impact analysis

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and budget impact (AIO) of iron carboxymaltose (CMF) for treatment of iron deficiency (ID), with or without anemia, in patients with heart failure (HF) and reduced ejection fraction NYHA II and III compared to placebo (non-intervention), from the perspective of paying supplementary health (SS). Methods: In the economic model, the decision tree was used, with a time horizon of 52 weeks, from the SS perspective, measuring the clinical benefits and costs associated with the intervention. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyzes were also performed to assess possible future uncertainties. The elaboration of the AIO was carried out considering a time horizon of five years, population to be treated, different market share scenarios and direct costs involved in the current treatment and in the proposed treatment. Results: The incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) was -R$ 20,517.07 for 1 quality-adjusted life year (QALY). The budget impact of incorporation of the CMF in SSprovided savings in five years of -R$ 43,945,225. Conclusions: The presented analysis showed that treatment with CMF reduced the cost of hospitalization, the number of outpatient visits and the cost of other HF-related medications and provided annual savings. Considering a time horizon of 52 weeks, intravenous therapy with CMF resulted in a cost-saving strategy when compared to the proposed treatment for DF in patients with HF.