Cost-effectiveness of varenicline compared with nicotine patches for smoking cessation--results from four European countries.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the cost-effectiveness of varenicline with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for smoking cessation in four European countries (Belgium, France, Sweden and the UK).


METHODS
Markov simulations, using the Benefits of Smoking Cessation on Outcomes (BENESCO) model, were performed. We simulated the incidence of four smoking-related morbidities: lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary heart disease and stroke. The model computes quality-adjusted life-years gained and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. Incremental cost-utility ratios were calculated, adopting a lifetime perspective. Efficacy data were obtained from a randomized open-label trial: Week 52 continuous abstinence rates were 26.1% for varenicline and 20.3% for NRT.


RESULTS
The analyses imply that for countries analysed, smoking cessation using varenicline versus NRT was associated with reduced smoking-related morbidity and mortality. The number of morbidities avoided, per 1000 smokers attempting to quit, ranged from 9.7 in Belgium to 6.5 in the UK. The number of quality-adjusted life-years gained, per 1000 smokers, was 23 (Belgium); 19.5 (France); 29.9 (Sweden); and 23.7 (UK). In all base-case simulations (except France), varenicline dominated (more effective and cost saving) NRT regarding costs per quality-adjusted life-year gained; for France the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was 2803.


CONCLUSIONS
This cost-effectiveness analysis demonstrated that since varenicline treatment was more effective, the result was increased healthcare cost savings in Belgium, Sweden and the UK. Our results suggest that funding varenicline as a smoking cessation aid is justifiable from a healthcare resource allocation perspective.
Bolin
Kristian
K
Lund University Department of Economics and Centre for Health Economics, Lund, Sweden. kristian.bolin@nek.lu.se
Wilson
Koo
K
Benhaddi
Hicham
H
de Nigris
Enrico
E
Marbaix
Sophie
S
Mork
Ann-Christin
AC
Aubin
Henri-Jean
HJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000191:economics*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008390:Markov Chains; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics*; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000191:economics*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000453:epidemiology; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000191:economics*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology; D000068580:Varenicline; D055815:Young Adult
D001552:Benzazepines; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D011810:Quinoxalines; D009538:Nicotine; D000068580:Varenicline