Cost-effectiveness of specific immunotherapy with Grazax in allergic rhinitis co-existing with XXXX .

@entity1 @entity6542 @entity7370 @entity565 @entity56
BACKGROUND: In the United Kingdom, approximately 10.8 million @entity1 suffer from @entity565 , placing an economic burden on the society of more than 2 billion pounds sterling per year. For @entity56 , treatment options consist of allergen avoidance, symptomatic treatment and @entity6542 ( @entity6542 ). Only @entity6542 addresses the underlying cause of the disease, reducing symptoms and offering the potential for long-term improvement. Grazax--the first tablet-based @entity6542 --is indicated for the treatment of @entity1 with grass pollen-induced @entity7370 , including those with co-existing @entity565 . OBJECTIVE: To assess the cost-effectiveness of Grazax in @entity1 with @entity7370 and co-existing @entity565 . METHODS: A prospective pharmacoeconomic analysis was carried out as part of a multinational clinical trial assessing the efficacy of Grazax (n = 79) compared with placebo (n = 72). Both groups had access to symptomatic medication; thus the placebo group represented current standard care. Pooled data on health resource use, productivity loss because of absence from work and quality of life (Quality Adjusted Life Years, QALYs) were collected in the trial. Reduced productivity at work was estimated from the literature. A societal perspective was adopted with a 9-year time horizon. The NHS price of Grazax of 2.25 pounds sterling per tablet was used. RESULTS: The QALY gain was significantly higher for @entity1 treated with Grazax than the placebo group receiving symptomatic medication alone (0.197 discounted QALYs gained 9 years into the future - equal to an extra 72 days of perfect health over 9 years). The levels of resource use and productivity loss were higher for the placebo group. As a result, the cost per QALY gained with Grazax was 4319 pounds sterling , which is highly cost-effective. Price sensitivity analyses demonstrated that Grazax remained cost-effective up to a tablet price of 5.07 pounds sterling . CONCLUSION: @entity6542 with Grazax is a cost-effective strategy compared with standard management of @entity1 with @entity7370 and co-existing @entity565 .
