Cost-effectiveness of nirsevimab and palivizumab for respiratory syncytial virus prophylaxis in preterm infants 29–34 6/7 weeks' gestation in the United States

Tianzhou Yu; William V. Padula; Leah Yieh; Cynthia L. Gong

Pediatrics and Neonatology (Mar 2024)

Cost-effectiveness of nirsevimab and palivizumab for respiratory syncytial virus prophylaxis in preterm infants 29–34 6/7 weeks' gestation in the United States

Tianzhou Yu,
William V. Padula,
Leah Yieh,
Cynthia L. Gong

Affiliations

Tianzhou Yu: Department of Pharmaceutical and Health Economics, Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Corresponding author. USC Schaeffer Center, 635 Downey Way (VPD), Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
William V. Padula: Department of Pharmaceutical and Health Economics, Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, Mann School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Leah Yieh: Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, Mann School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Fetal & Neonatal Institute, Division of Neonatology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Cynthia L. Gong: Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, Mann School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Fetal & Neonatal Institute, Division of Neonatology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 65, no. 2
pp. 152 – 158

Abstract

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Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hospitalizations have increased since the 2014 guideline update recommended against the use of palivizumab for preterm infants born ≥29 0/7 weeks' gestational age (GA) without additional risk factors. A novel drug candidate, nirsevimab, has been developed for this population. We analyzed the cost-effectiveness of palivizumab/nirsevimab vs. no prophylaxis in this population. Methods: A hybrid-Markov model predicted the RSV clinical course in the first year of life and sequelae in the subsequent four years for preterm infants from the healthcare and societal perspectives. Model parameters were derived from the literature. We calculated costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) to produce an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) evaluated at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $150,000/QALY. Sensitivity analyses assessed model robustness. A threshold analysis examined nirsevimab pricing uncertainty. Results: Compared to no prophylaxis, palivizumab costs $9572 and $9584 more from the healthcare and societal perspectives, respectively, with 0.0019 QALYs gained per patient over five years, resulting in ICERs >$5 million per QALY from each perspective. Results were robust to parameter uncertainties; probabilistic sensitivity analysis revealed that no prophylaxis had a 100% probability of being cost-effective. The threshold analysis suggested that nirsevimab is not cost-effective when compared to no prophylaxis if the price exceeds $1962 from a societal perspective. Conclusion: Palivizumab is dominated by no prophylaxis for preterm infants 29 0/7–34 6/7 weeks' GA with no additional risk factors. Relevant stakeholders should consider alternatives to palivizumab for this population that are both effective and economical.

Published in Pediatrics and Neonatology

ISSN: 1875-9572 (Print)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Medicine: Pediatrics
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/pediatrics-and-neonatology/

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