Asian Journal Of Social Pharmacy

Abstract: Objective To provide reference for clinical medication and drug policy formulation for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods A Markov model was established for patients with moderate and severe rheumatoid arthritis. The model period was 6 months and the simulation time was the average life expectancy of Chinese residents (76 years). The cost-utility analysis method was used to analyze the effect of Hanlikang combined with methotrexate and Yisaipu combined with methotrexate from the perspective of the whole society. The economy of Hanlikang was evaluated and the robustness of the results was verified by sensitivity analysis. Results and Conclusion For the patients with moderate and severe rheumatoid arthritis, compared with Yisaipu, Hanlikang could save 69 228 yuan and gain 0.837 quality adjusted of life years (QALYs) in the whole life cycle with great economic advantages. The results of sensitivity analysis were consistent with those of basic analysis, and the results of probability sensitivity analysis showed that when the willingness to pay was the per capita GDP (64 644 yuan), the economic probability of Hanlikang group reached 79.3%.

Key words: Rituximab, rheumatoid arthritis, pharmacoeconomic evaluation