OBJECTIVES: Estimate the budget impact associated with the use of tofacitinib for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, in patients who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to csDMARDs and are refractory to bDMARDs in Algeria.

METHODS: A budget impact model BIM was developed to compare the treatment costs of two scenarios (with and without tofacitinib) over a 1-year horizon. The annual eligible population was estimated from local literature. Biological Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) were considered as comparators. Market shares were obtained from internal data and local literature. Only drug acquisition and administration costs were considered. Costs were expressed in euros.

RESULTS: Tofacitinib was projected to reach a market share of 5% (n=335) of the population with an inadequate response or intolerance to csDMARDs (n=6703) in the first year (2024). The introduction of tofacitinib in the Algerian market indicates a potential incremental cost of 361412€ for that year representing a 1% increase in total treatment costs. Due to its oral form, the introduction of tofacitinib would reduce the administration costs by 68374€ representing a 5% reduction in administration costs over the same period (2024).

CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of tofacitinib is expected to have a minimal impact on the current budget, with potential savings depending on market shares evolution.