Unit costs and cost-effectiveness of a device to improve TB treatment adherence in China

Adherence to TB drugs is crucial for improving treatment outcomes. Digital adherence technologies can improve adherence; however, there is a lack of evidence on cost-effectiveness. This study aimed to explore the cost-effectiveness of medication event reminder monitors (MERM) in China compared with the standard of care, using results from a pragmatic, cluster-randomised superiority trial of an electronic MERM in China.

We collected primary unit cost data from the societal perspective, both at and above the health facility level. We estimated the incremental cost-effectiveness of MERM using a Markov model with a 20-year time horizon; a 3% discount rate was applied to costs and outcomes. We explored uncertainty through a series of sensitivity and scenario analyses.

The incremental cost of MERM was $27.22 per patient. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed significant uncertainty about the intervention's cost-effectiveness. Changing assumptions around key parameters substantially affected our estimated incremental cost-effectiveness ratio.

Although the incremental cost of the MERM box was low, current evidence does not indicate that the intervention would be cost-effective. However, the intervention's cost-effectiveness could improve if implemented as part of a broader strategy, including enhanced patient management.