9) Cost-Utility Analysis of Three Iron Chelators Used in Monotherapy for the Treatment of Chronic Iron Overload in β-Thalassaemia Major Patients: An Italian Perspective

Abstract Purpose Deferiprone (DFP), deferasirox (DFX) and deferoxamine (DFO) are used in thalassaemia major (TM) patients to treat chronic iron overload. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of DFP, compared with DFX and DFO monotherapy, from an Italian healthcare system perspective. Methods A Markov model was used over a time horizon of 5 years. Italian-specific cost data were combined with Italian efficacy data. Costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were calculated for each treatment, with costeffectiveness expressed as cost per QALY. Results In all scenarios modelled, DFP was the dominant treatment strategy. Sensitivity analyses showed that DFP dominated the other treatments with a[99% likelihood of being cost-effective against DFX and DFO at a willingness to pay threshold of €20,000 per QALY. Conclusions DFP was the dominant and most cost-effective treatment for managing chronic iron overload in TM patients. Its use can result in substantial cost savings for the Italian healthcare system.