title: The economics of basiliximab (Simulect) in preventing acute rejection in renal transplantation.
abstract: An economic evaluation was undertaken alongside a multicentre international trial of basiliximab. Resource usage within the trial was assessed, and the cost implications of using basiliximab evaluated. Recipients of a primary cadaveric kidney transplant were recruited into a double-blind trial and received either placebo ( n=186) or basiliximab ( n=190). Clinical outcomes and resource usage were monitored in the 12 months following transplantation. Local unit costs were obtained, and global analysis was undertaken using health sector purchasing-power parity rates. No statistically significant differences were found in the mean cost of treatment per patient. The mean cost of treatment was US$47,940 for basiliximab patients and US$46,280 for placebo patients, a mean difference of US$1,660 (95% confidence interval (CI): -US$4,150, US$7,360; P=0.58). Basiliximab produces clinical benefit in terms of preventing episodes of acute rejection, whilst the difference in the total resource usage and cost of treatment is not statistically significant.
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Health Related Research, The University of Sheffield, Regent Court, 30 Regent Street, UK. j.b.chilcott@sheffield.ac.uk
authors.forename: James B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Chilcott
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Walters
authors.forename: Ronald L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Akehurst
authors.forename: Björn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nashan
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077552:Basiliximab; D002170:Canada; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004739:England; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000191:economics* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D010919:Placebos; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D000077552:Basiliximab