OBJECTIVES

To systematically review the existing pharmacoeconomic literatures evaluating the long-term cost effectiveness associated with once-weekly semaglutide in type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

A systematic literature review up to 1^st Apr 2020 in PubMed, web of science, and the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) presentation database was conducted. All long-term cost-effectiveness studies assessing once-weekly semaglutide comparing with other glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) were included.

RESULTS

A total of ten studies were identified, including eight studies based on the IQVIA Core diabetes model and two studies based on the Swedish Institute for Health Economics Cohort Model of T2D (IHE model). Results showed that once-weekly semaglutide reduced cumulative incidence and delayed time to onset of diabetes-related complications than all comparators, resulting in improvement of quality-adjusted life expectancy, and saving of complication cost over patient lifetime horizon. When comparing with dulaglutide, once-weekly semaglutide 0.5mg and 1.0mg were associated with a range of 0.02~0.11 QALYs gained and 0.05~0.34 QALYs gained, respectively. The total cost of once-weekly semaglutide was projected to be lower than dulaglutide in most of the studies. When comparing with exenatide extended-release, lixisenatide and liraglutide, once-weekly semaglutide 0.5mg and 1.0mg were associated with a range of 0.14~0.39 QALYs gained and 0.13~0.71 QALYs gained, respectively. The total cost of once-weekly semaglutide was projected to be lower or slightly higher, which varied from comparators. Results based on the IQVIA Core diabetes model and IHE model were similar. The treatment algorithm and criteria for treatment change assumed in the model simulation would be more important for the long-term projection than the economic model used.

CONCLUSIONS :

The current literature presents that compared with dulaglutide and other GLP-1 RAs, once-weekly semaglutide was considered dominated or highly cost-effectiveness treatment alternative for type 2 diabetes.