Research brief
Advanced Parkinson's disease brings heavy financial challenges, extending beyond just medical bills to include costs for professional and informal care. Recent research has examined the economic impact of using subcutaneous foslevodopa/foscarbidopa (LDp/CDp) in five countries. The study shows that while LDp/CDp has higher drug costs compared to the best medical treatment (BMT), these are balanced by savings in care costs. Over five years, the treatment could save up to €96,273 per patient, indicating significant economic benefits alongside better patient outcomes.
Key points
- LDp/CDp reduces care costs despite higher drug expenses.
- Net savings per patient range from €50,297 to €135,208.
- Treatment improves OFF-time burden compared to BMT.
Financial Impact of Parkinson's Progression
As advanced Parkinson's disease progresses, costs rise, mainly due to the need for both professional and informal care. When symptoms worsen, these care costs often exceed those of medical treatments. The study uses a model to predict costs over five years, taking into account both direct and indirect societal expenses in the UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Canada.
Cost Modelling and Analysis
Researchers developed a model using real-world data to estimate resource use based on disease severity, focusing on the OFF-time experienced by patients. A Markov model was employed to compare the effects of LDp/CDp with BMT. Despite higher initial drug costs with LDp/CDp, the treatment delays worsening symptoms, leading to reduced care needs and overall cost savings.
Economic and Clinical Benefits
The findings show that LDp/CDp not only eases the OFF-time burden in aPD patients but also results in net societal savings. The cumulative savings per patient over five years range from €50,297 to €135,208, varying by country. These results highlight the potential of LDp/CDp to reduce both economic and clinical burdens associated with advanced Parkinson's disease.
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