Cost effectiveness of Elidel in the management of patients with atopic dermatitis in Canada.
BACKGROUND
With increasing pressure on health care resources, it is necessary to demonstrate that new treatments are both effective and cost effective.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the cost effectiveness of pimecrolimus (Elidel) compared to usual therapy in the treatment of both adults and children with atopic eczema in Canada.


METHODS
Analysis was performed using a decision model which estimated the incremental cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained from both a societal and health care perspective.


RESULTS
For children, Elidel leads an incremental cost per QALY of 38,000 dollars from a societal perspective. For adults, the incremental cost per QALY was 35,000 dollars.


CONCLUSIONS
Elidel will lead to an overall increase in costs but with an improvement in clinical outcomes. The cost effectiveness ratios for Elidel were consistently below 50,000 dollars per QALY gained. Given previous funding decisions in Canada, Elidel may be considered a cost-effective use of health care resources.
Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. dcoyle@ohri.ca
Douglas
D
Coyle
Martin
M
Barbeau
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis / Q000191:economics; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; C117268:pimecrolimus; D016559:Tacrolimus