Cost effectiveness of leflunomide in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in Japan

Authors: Suka, Machi; Yoshida, Katsumi

Source: Expert Review of Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research, Volume 4, Number 6, December 2004 , pp. 617-622(6)

Publisher: Expert Reviews

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Abstract:

Macro-level economic evaluations of drugs are expected to provide useful information for making the decision of whether to approve a newly developed drug as a first-line treatment. Leflunomide has been hoped to be an alternative to existing disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, but has also raised questions about its cost effectiveness due to the high drug cost and high percentage of withdrawals due to adverse events. A method of cost-effective analysis using disability-adjusted life years, which makes it possible to assess the cost effectiveness of a drug at the macro level, is proposed. Using the proposed method, the cost effectiveness of leflunomide in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in Japan is determined.

Keywords: cost effectiveness; disability-adjusted life year; evidence-based health policy; Japan; leflunomide; macro-level economic evaluation; rheumatoid arthritis

Document Type: Drug Evaluation

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1586/14737167.4.6.617

Publication date: 2004-12-01

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Expert Review of Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research provides expert commentary on cost-benefit and pharmacoeconomic issues relating to the clinical use of drugs and therapeutic approaches. Coverage includes pharmacoeconomics and quality-of-life research, therapeutic outcomes, evidence-based medicine and cost-benefit research.
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