Budget impact analysis of the subcutaneous infliximab (CT-P13 SC) for treating inflammatory bowel disease in the Big-5 European (E5) countries

BACKGROUND: In 2020, the European Medicines Agency approved infliximab subcutaneous (SC) for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. This new mode of infliximab administration will reduce outpatient visits and costs of intravenous (IV) administration. This article describes a budget impact analysis of introducing infliximab SC to the Big-5 European (E5) market (Germany, France, Italy, Spain and UK) for 5 years, from the healthcare payer’s perspective. METHODS: A prevalence-based budget impact model was developed to examine the financial impact of infliximab SC. “World with” versus “world without” infliximab SC scenarios were compared, including the potential administration costs of IV administration. RESULTS: Introducing infliximab SC in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) for 5 years resulted in cost savings of €42.0 million in the UK, €59.4 million in Germany, and €46.4 million in France and Italy, but increased budget expenditure in Spain by €3.8 million. For ulcerative colitis (UC), cost savings of €42.7 million in the UK, €44.9 million in Germany, €44.3 million in France, and €53.0 million in Italy occurred, but with no savings in Spain for 5 years. Cost-savings per patient was calculated by diving the net budget saving by number of treatment eligible patients. Maximum and minimum saving per patient per year ranged between €38.25 and €575.74 in CD, both from Germany, and €105.06 (France) and €647.25 (Germany) in UC. CONCLUSION: Healthcare payers in the UK, Germany, France, and Italy, but not in Spain, will make budget savings by using infliximab SC for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-022-08683-y.