Cost and Resource Use of Pemphigus and Pemphigoid Disorders Pre- and Post-Rituximab. Issue 3 (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Heelan, Kara; Hassan, Shazia; Bannon, Grace; Knowles, Sandra; Walsh, Scott; Shear, Neil H.; Mittmann, Nicole
• Is Part Of: Journal of cutaneous medicine and surgery. Volume 19:Issue 3(2015:May/Jun.)
• Page Start: 274
• Page End: 282
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Dermatology -- Periodicals; Skin -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Skin -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Dermatology -- Canada -- Periodicals; Skin -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Canada -- Periodicals; Skin -- Surgery -- Canada -- Periodicals; 616.5005
• DOI: 10.2310/7750.2014.14092
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1203-4754

Abstract

Background: Rituximab (RTX) is increasingly used for the treatment of pemphigus and pemphigoid disorders. The high cost of RTX frequently limits its use and access. Objective: To determine the health system resources and costs associated with RTX treatment of pemphigus and pemphigoid. Methods: Health system resources and costs attributed to a convenience sample of 89 patients with either pemphigus or pemphigoid were identified, quantified, and valued 6 months prior to and following RTX initiation between May 2006 and August 2012. Overall cohort costs and costs per patient were calculated (2013 Can$). Results: The overall cohort cost for 6 months pre-RTX was $3.8 million and for 6 months post-RTX was $2.6 million. The average cost per patient decreased from $42, 231 to $29, 423 (30.3% decrease). The main cost driver was intravenous immunoglobulin. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that RTX is effective in reducing health system resources and the costs associated with the treatment of pemphigus and pemphigoid.