The use of biologic medications for the treatment of psoriasis may offer cost-saving benefits when prescribed for patients who might otherwise require long hospitalizations for their psoriasis.
This was the conclusion of a June 2010 issue of the British Journal of Dermatology, “The economic impact of high-need psoriasis in daily clinical practice before and after the introduction of biologics.”
A treatment course with biologics can be very expensive, and there has been concern about whether the high price is sufficiently offset by the clinical benefits and potential cost-savings from reducing the number of flares and use of other medications, as well as reduced risk of hospitalization.
The study investigated the medical costs associated with the treatment of 67 patients with “high need” psoriasis. Direct costs were calculated for the period of time prior to the availability of biologics and compared to the cost after their introduction. Direct costs for a subset of hospitalized psoriasis patients were analyzed separately.
Average total direct costs were 10,146 pounds per patient per year ($14,575) in the pre-biologic treatment period, compared with 17, 772 pounds ($25,445) in the biologic treatment period. For six patients in the cohort, introduction of biologics led to a reduction of direct costs, as these patients did not need long hospitalizations.
Treatment with biologics led to a decrease in the PASI (psoriasis severity score) from 19.0 at the start of biologic therapy to 6.4 at analysis (a 66ยท4% reduction).
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that study is quite interesting.
And still thy got their sample from 67 people in severe form of Psoriasis.
I only hope this biological treatement cost can be reduced a it…