Evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of drotrecogin alfa (activated) for the treatment of severe sepsis in the United Kingdom

C. Green, J. Dinnes, A.L. Takeda, B.H. Cuthbertson

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    20 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of drotrecogin alfa (activated) compared with best supportive care in a UK cohort of adult intensive-care patients with severe sepsis. Methods: A systematic review of evidence on the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of drotrecogin alfa (activated) was undertaken, and a decision-analytic model was developed to estimate the cost-effectiveness of treatment in the United Kingdom. Trial data from the Recombinant Human Activated Protein C Worldwide Evaluation in Severe Sepsis (PROWESS) study have been synthesized with other data, including UK data on severe sepsis, to estimate the costs and consequences of treatment over time. Results: For patients with severe sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction, the estimates of cost per life year and cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) are £4,931 and £8,228, respectively. For patients with severe sepsis alone, the cost per life-year and cost per QALY are £5,495 and £9,161, respectively. Conclusions: Whereas the therapeutic cost for drotrecogin alfa (activated) appears high (at around £5,000 per patient) and the potential impact on the provider budget is considerable, drotrecogin alfa (activated) is clinically effective, represents a cost-effective use of resources, and is a significant advance in the treatment of severe sepsis in patients requiring intensive care.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)90-100
    Number of pages11
    JournalInternational Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care
    Volume22
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2006

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