Subcutaneous specific immunotherapy: Economic implications from the perspective of statutory health insurance – a population-based cost-effectiveness estimation

BACKGROUND: Specific immunotherapy is the only potentially curative therapy in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and allergic asthma (AA). The present study examined the effects of subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) on the financial situation of the German statutory health insurance systems and measures the impact on AR/AA prevalence during the next decades. A further objective was to identify possible SCIT-treatment strategies in order to reach an efficient SCIT-use. METHODS: Taking population projections of the German Statistical Federal Office, the number of expected new cases (AR, AA) was calculated until 2050. Based on assumptions about the proportion of patients who received SCIT in the future, age cohorts run through a model-calculation based on Markov chains. Data on effectiveness were extracted from published literature. For determining the cost situation of SCIT pharmacies we used selling prices for Allergovit®. All future costs are discounted at a mean rate of 2%. The model calculation was supplemented by a Delphi panel. RESULTS: Based on the current situation, a total annual economic burden of 540 million Euros is to be expected for care of about yearly 6 million patients with AR and AA in Germany between 2011 and 2050. Several scenarios have shown that the use of SCIT seems to be associated with cost savings from the perspective of statutory health insurances, when SCIT is offered to a larger amount of patients with moderate to severe symptoms. That would result in reduced number of expensive patients who suffer from AA. The best effects on the future number of diseased patients could be achieved, however, if SCIT additionally would be applied to patients in earlier stages of disease. Due to the large number of patients receiving SCIT in such a scenario, the initial costs would not completely compensated by cost savings. Nevertheless, the additional costs of 300 to 350 Euros per additionally healed patient seem to be justifiable. CONCLUSION: From the perspective of the SHI, SCIT is a useful strategic option for preventing the progression of allergic diseases. Particularly with increased use in early disease stages, the number of healed patients is high. Potential cost savings may result from increased treatment rates in patients with advanced disease stages.