Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 17, 2025
11:34
A Competent Hepatocyte Model Examining Hepatitis B Virus Entry through Sodium Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide as a Therapeutic Target
Published on: May 10, 2022
2.6K
Changes in Cost-Effectiveness for Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Pharmacotherapy: The Case for Continuous
T Joseph Mattingly1, Bryan L Love2
1Department of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore.
Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy
|June 26, 2020
Summary
Cost-effectiveness of hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatments evolved significantly between 2010 and 2018. Rapid innovation necessitates ongoing economic analyses to reflect changing treatment costs and effectiveness for HCV.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacoeconomics
- Hepatology
- Health Economics
Background:
- Frequent cost-effectiveness evaluations for hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatments are often outdated by rapid market innovation.
- Assessing the value of economic models in dynamic markets is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the cost-effectiveness of the best available HCV treatment at distinct time points (2010-2018).
- To utilize a consistent comparator to demonstrate the impact of rapid innovation on economic outcomes in HCV treatment.
Main Methods:
- A Markov model was employed to assess cost-effectiveness from a payer perspective.
- Calculated expected drug costs and sustained virologic response (SVR) for 6 HCV genotypes across different years.
- Incorporated patient fibrosis stages and utility estimates to determine quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs).
Main Results:
- HCV treatment costs varied, peaking in 2014 ($125,431) and decreasing to $56,470 by 2018.
- Quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained through treatment increased from 12.90 in 2010 to 13.46 in 2018.
- Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) demonstrated significant shifts, with the 2018 treatment being highly cost-effective at $7,048 per QALY.
Conclusions:
- HCV treatment effectiveness has shown consistent improvement.
- Treatment costs fluctuated, rising significantly from 2010-2014 before declining.
- The dynamic nature of HCV treatment innovation underscores the need for iterative cost-effectiveness analyses.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test
115
In clinical practice, the direct measurement of hepatic blood flow to evaluate liver function presents significant challenges due to the intricate and specialized nature of the necessary techniques. Consequently, healthcare professionals often rely on empirical estimates derived from thorough patient examinations and liver function tests to gauge liver health. Among the tools at their disposal, the Child–Pugh and MELD scoring systems stand out for their ability to categorize and assess...
115
01:26Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow
145
Chronic liver disease significantly impacts drug metabolism due to alterations in hepatic blood flow and enzyme accessibility. This disruption affects the body's pharmacokinetics—the movement and processing of drugs within the system. Key enzymes crucial for metabolizing medications become less accessible, changing how drugs are processed and utilized. Furthermore, liver disease influences the synthesis of plasma proteins, such as albumin and globulins, which play critical roles in drug...
145
01:08Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Dose Adjustments Due to Hepatic Impairment
116
Hepatic impairment, characterized by decreased liver function, does not uniformly mandate adjustments in drug dosage. Whether dosage modifications are necessary depends on various factors related to the drug's metabolism and elimination pathways. If a drug is primarily excreted via the kidneys and bypasses significant hepatic processing, if it undergoes minimal metabolic transformation in the liver, or if it is volatile and primarily expelled through the lungs, dose adjustments may not be...
116
01:14Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Active Drug, Metabolite and Fraction of Metabolized Drug
133
In pharmacotherapy, monitoring drug concentrations is paramount, especially for drugs whose therapeutic effects hinge on both the active compound and its metabolite. Hepatic impairment profoundly influences drug potency by altering liver function. If the drug is more potent than its metabolite, impaired liver function amplifies drug activity due to elevated drug concentration levels. Conversely, if the metabolite holds greater potency, diminished liver function diminishes drug activity by...
133
01:16Hepatic Drug Excretion: Influencing Factors
452
The biliary system of the liver, crucial for bile secretion and drug excretion, comprises intrahepatic bile ducts that merge to form the common hepatic duct. This duct, carrying hepatic bile, combines with the cystic duct, draining the gallbladder and forming the common bile duct, which empties into the duodenum. Bile, produced by hepatic cells lining the bile canaliculi, is composed primarily of water, bile salts, pigments, electrolytes, and lesser amounts of cholesterol and fatty acids. Bile...
452
01:24Drug Accumulation During Multiple Dosing: Intermittent IV Infusions
149
Intermittent intravenous (IV) infusion is a method of drug administration where medications are delivered over short infusion periods followed by intervals of no drug delivery. This approach helps to prevent sustained high drug concentrations in the bloodstream, reducing the risk of adverse effects associated with prolonged exposure. Unlike continuous infusion, steady-state concentrations may not be achieved during a single dosing cycle but can be reached through repeated...
149