title: Transferability of model-based economic evaluations: the case of trastuzumab for the adjuvant treatment of HER2-positive early breast cancer in the Netherlands.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Geographic transferability of model-based cost-effectiveness results may facilitate and shorten the reimbursement process of new pharmaceuticals. This study provides a real world example of transferring a cost-effectiveness study of trastuzumab for the adjuvant treatment of HER2-positive early breast cancer from the United Kingdom to The Netherlands.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three successive steps were taken. Step 1: Collect available information with regard to the original model, and assess transferability using existing checklists. Step 2: Adapt transferability-limiting factors. Step 3: Obtain a country-specific estimate of cost-effectiveness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The structure of the UK model was transferable, although some of the model inputs needed adaptation. From a health-care perspective, the Dutch estimate amounted to euro5828/quality-adjusted life-year gained. From a societal perspective, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was dominant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transferability of a model-based UK-study in three steps proved to be an efficient method to provide an early indication of the cost-effectiveness of trastuzumab and has led to the provisional reimbursement of the treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology Assessment, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands. brigitte.essers@mumc.nl
authors.forename: Brigitte A B
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Essers
authors.forename: Shanley C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Seferina
authors.forename: Vivianne C G
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Tjan-Heijnen
authors.forename: Johan L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Severens
authors.forename: Annoesjka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Novák
authors.forename: Marjolein
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pompen
authors.forename: Ulrich H
authors.initials: UH
authors.lastname: Oron
authors.forename: Manuela A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Joore
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D017059:Models, Econometric; D009426:Netherlands; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D018581:Technology Transfer; D000068878:Trastuzumab; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D000068878:Trastuzumab