The budgetary impact of alemtuzumab in multiple sclerosis in Quito, Ecuador. Payer’s perspective

INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis is a neurological condition that causes disabilities and is most common in young adults. It imposes high financial costs affecting the quality of life of patients, families, and society. It is critical to measure the budgetary impact of new technologies to treat this disease. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the article is to estimate the budgetary impact of introducing alemtuzumab as an escalation therapy in patients diagnosed with Recurrent Remitting Multiple Sclerosis and treated in Quito, Ecuador. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cohort of 85 patients receiving treatment with disease-modifying therapies was used, within a 5-year timeframe, between 2021 and 2025. The baseline scenario, including the percentages of administration of the different drugs, is compared with the alternative scenario, including alemtuzumab. The cost assessment included only direct medical resources. To obtain local resources for management of the disease, a neurologist and clinical expert who treats most of the patients in Quito was consulted. RESULTS: Considering a cohort of 85 patients with active Recurrent Remitting Multiple Sclerosis, the average global budget impact in 5 years would be USD 10,603,230.00 in the base case and USD 9,995,817.00 in the alemtuzumab scenario. CONCLUSION: The inclusion of alemtuzumab as escalation therapy represents budgetary savings over the next 5 years (2021-2025).