Cost per PASI-75 responder of calcipotriol plus betamethasone dipropionate cutaneous foam versus nonbiologic systemic therapies for the treatment of plaque psoriasis in seven European countries

Purpose: To compare the short-term cost and effectiveness of calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate (Cal/BD) cutaneous foam against nonbiologic systemics in psoriasis patients for whom oral systemic or topical therapy is considered appropriate in seven European countries. Methods: Matching-adjusted indirect comparisons of four-week PASI-75 responses of Cal/BD foam were performed versus 12-week responses of methotrexate, acitretin, fumaric acid esters (FAE) and 16-week responses of apremilast. Analyses took a payer perspective and included drug, physician visit and monitoring costs. Results: In all countries, Cal/BD foam generated the lowest cost per responder (CPR). Against methotrexate, apremilast and acitretin, Cal/BD foam generated response for less than euro190 in Italy, euro195 in Portugal, euro216 in Greece, 218 pound in the United Kingdom, euro250 in Belgium, euro319 in Spain, and euro359 in the Netherlands. Relative to treatment with FAE, Cal/BD foam resulted in response for less than euro298, euro430, euro382 and 262 pound in Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom, respectively. For Cal/BD foam, apremilast and FAE, total costs were driven by drug costs; for methotrexate and acitretin, by monitoring. Conclusions: Driven by its lower costs and high response rates, Cal/BD foam is likely to be a cost-effective option over the short-term in the investigated psoriasis population.

Automated summary

The study compared the short-term cost and effectiveness of calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate (Cal/BD) cutaneous foam against nonbiologic systemics in psoriasis patients in seven European countries. Results showed that Cal/BD foam had the lowest cost per responder in all countries, making it a cost-effective option compared to other treatments like methotrexate, acitretin, and apremilast. The total costs for Cal/BD foam, apremilast, and FAE were mainly driven by drug costs, while monitoring costs played a bigger role in treatments like methotrexate and acitretin.