The value of fast-acting insulin aspart compared with insulin aspart for patients with diabetes mellitus treated with bolus insulin from a UK health care system perspective. (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Leelarathna, Lalantha; Ashley, Donna; Fidler, Carrie; Parekh, Witesh
• Is Part Of: Therapeutic advances in endocrinology and metabolism. Volume 9:Number 7(2018)
• Page Start: 187
• Page End: 197
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: bolus insulin -- fast-acting insulin aspart -- glycaemic control -- postprandial glucose -- price parity; Endocrine glands -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Metabolism -- Disorders -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Endocrine System Diseases -- therapy -- Periodicals; Metabolic Diseases -- therapy -- Periodicals; 616.4005
• DOI: 10.1177/2042018818766816
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2042-0188

Abstract

Background: Fast-acting insulin aspart is a new formulation of the rapid-acting insulin analogue insulin aspart and represents an advancement over current rapid-acting insulin analogues in terms of onset of action and postprandial glucose control. The objective of the current analysis was to demonstrate the cost impact of prescribing fast-acting insulin aspart instead of insulin aspart, to highlight the value of fast-acting insulin aspart for the treatment of people with diabetes requiring mealtime insulin. Methods: A cost-impact analysis was conducted from the perspective of the UK National Health Service (NHS). The analysis excluded patients' out-of-pocket expenses, carers' costs and lost productivity. The time horizon of the analysis was 1 year, and no discounting was therefore applied. Results: The displacement of insulin aspart with fast-acting insulin aspart is cost neutral for the UK NHS. Fast-acting insulin aspart is at price parity to insulin aspart in terms of the vial and Penfill ® cartridge and is available in the FlexTouch ® pen at the same price as the insulin aspart FlexPen ® (and thus cheaper than the insulin aspart FlexTouch ® pen). Patients using the insulin aspart FlexPen ® will be upgraded to the FlexTouch ® pen device, which is preferred by patients and healthcare professionals, on switching to fast-acting insulin aspart, at no additional cost. Conclusions: Fast-acting insulin aspart offers additional clinical benefit but at no additional cost when compared with insulin aspart, and thus provides value to the UK NHS.