Exploratory Analysis of the Economically Justifiable Price of Nirsevimab
for Healthy Late-Preterm and Term Infants in Colombia
Abstract
Introduction. Respiratory syncytial virus infection is the
leading cause of lower respiratory infection globally. Recently,
nirsevimab has been approved to prevent RSV infection. This study
explores the economically justifiable price of nirsevimab for preventing
RSV infection in Colombia’s children under one year of age.
Materials and methods. A static model was developed using the
decision tree microsimulation to estimate the quality-adjusted costs and
life years of two interventions: a single intramuscular dose of
nirsevimab versus not applying nirsevimab. This analysis was made during
a time horizon of 1 year and from a societal perspective.
Results The annual savings in Colombia associated with this
cost per dose ranged from U$ 2.5 to 4.1 million. Based on thresholds of
U$4828, U$ 5128, and U$19 992 per QALY evaluated in this study, we
established economically justifiable drug acquisition prices of U$
21.88, U$ 25.04, and U$ 44.02 per dose of nirsevimab.
Conclusion the economically justifiable cost for nirsevimab in
Colombia is between U$21 to U$44 per dose, depending on the WTP used
to decide its implementation. This result should encourage more studies
in the region that optimize decision-making processes when incorporating
this drug into the health plans of each country.