Eligibility for PCSK9 Inhibitors and Associated Cost in Patient with Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease at Central Chest Institute of Thailand

Authors

  • Udom Taeviriyakul Department of Medical Service, Central Chest Institute of Thailand
  • Aimatchara Worrasan Department of Medical Service, Central Chest Institute of Thailand
  • Thammarat Chanthadansuwan Department of Medical Service, Central Chest Institute of Thailand

Keywords:

PCSK9 Inhibitors, atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases

Abstract

Background: Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors represent a new treatment option for lowering plasma low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) with the benefit of reducing cardiovascular events. However, PCSK9 inhibitors are recently emerging medications with high cost.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the budgetary impact of using the PCSK9 inhibitors, evolocumab in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD).

Method: Data were retrospectively reviewed in the medication records of ASCVD patients in the Central Chest Institute of Thailand during October 1st, 2019 to September 30th, 2020. Patients were followed up for a period of 1 year, then patients were divided in three groups according to their response to lipid-lowering drugs as follow: 1) all patients with LDL-C ≥70 mg/dL, 2) patients who received high intensity statin for one year and still had LDL-C ≥70 mg/dL, and 3) patients who received a high intensity statin plus ezetimibe for one year and still had LDL-C ≥70 mg/dL. The cost of using evolocumab was evaluated and compared based on the current prices in Thailand.

Results: A total of 7,491 patients with ASCVD with indications for PCSK9 inhibitors were included. The LDL-C level before starting the lipid-lowering drug was 120.13 mg/dL. After one years of follow-up, 77.79% of patients had LDL-C >70 mg/dL. Therefore, if adding evolocumab treatment in each group would require an additional drug budget as follow : group 1) 1,567-2,164 million bath/year, group 2) 885-1,222 million bath/year and group 3) 147-203 million bath/year.

Conclusion: Adding evolocumab to treatment of patients with ASCVD to reduced LDL-C to <70 mg/dL according to standard practice may increase drug budget by 147-2,164 million bath/year. If evolocumab was used only in patients who received a high intensity statin plus ezetimibe and still had LDL-C ≥70 mg/dL may reduce drug budget by 1,420-1,961 million bath/year compared with use of evolocumab in all patients with LDL-C ≥70 mg/dL.

Author Biographies

Udom Taeviriyakul, Department of Medical Service, Central Chest Institute of Thailand

B. Pharm.

Aimatchara Worrasan, Department of Medical Service, Central Chest Institute of Thailand

Pharm.D.

Thammarat Chanthadansuwan, Department of Medical Service, Central Chest Institute of Thailand

M.D.

References

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Published

2023-04-26

How to Cite

1.
แท้วิริยะกุล อ, วรสาร เ, ฉันทแดนสุวรรณ ธ. Eligibility for PCSK9 Inhibitors and Associated Cost in Patient with Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease at Central Chest Institute of Thailand. Thai J Clin Pharm [Internet]. 2023Apr.26 [cited 2024Jul.22];29(1):65-73. Available from: https://thaidj.org/index.php/TJCP/article/view/13339

Issue

Section

Research Articles