Abstract

Objectives

To describe the process and results of the implementation of a performance-based risk-sharing arrangement for the use of certolizumab pegol (Cimzia) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), based on rational pharmacotherapy.

Methods

In 2014, the area of Management of Drugs and Supplies of the health maintenance organization of the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires signed a performance-based risk-sharing arrangement with Montpellier Laboratory for the use of certolizumab pegol in patients with RA. The laboratory would reimburse the hospital the cost of the first 10 doses of the drug if an optimal clinical response was not achieved (difference greater than or equal to 1.2 in the Disease Activity Score 28 with erythrocyte sedimentation [Δ DAS28 ESR] measured at the beginning and at the end), or if the patient presented with an adverse drug reaction, during the first 12 weeks of treatment.

Results

Forty patients with RA were included between September 2014 and January 2018. Thirty-six patients completed 12 weeks of treatment, of which 25 (69.4 %) had an optimal clinical response (Δ DAS28 ESR ≥ 1.2). The laboratory reimbursed the hospital 116 doses of certolizumab pegol, corresponding to 12 patients (12 of 40, 30%). Eleven of them did not reach the optimal clinical response, and 1 presented with an adverse drug reaction.

Conclusions

The performance-based risk-sharing arrangement proved to be a useful tool to optimize the resources of the healthcare payer and contributed to the collection of scientific evidence in real-life patients.