Pharmacoeconomic analysis of leuprolide acetate (Eligard) 45 mg once in 6 months for advanced prostate cancer in Russian Federation

Objective – to conduct pharmacoeconomic study of leuprolide acetate 45 mg once in 6 months (Eligard) for advanced prostate cancer from the perspective of Russian health care system

Materials and methods. Cost minimization analysis (CMA) and budget impact analysis (BIA) were performed. All calculations were made in the MS Excel model. CMA compared leuprolide acetate once in 6 months (Eligard 45 mg) with 7 other prolonged gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs. BIA compared two scenarios: common practice consisting of 4 GnRH analogs; new practice that is leuprolide acetate once in 6 months in 20 % of patients. Costs of drugs, visits to oncologist and injections were calculated both in CMA and BIA. Time horizon was 5 years for CMA and 3 years for BIA. Number of patients treated with GnRH was defined taking into account 5 year survival rate. One-way sensitivity analysis was performed.

Results. Leuprolide acetate (Eligard) 45 mg is the most cost-saving option among all compared. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the results are sustainable if input parameters are varied in the range ± 25 % from baseline. Budget economy is expected when Eligard 45 mg is used in a part of patients population instead of other prolonged GnRH analogs.