The cost analysis of treatment for patients with newly diagnosed CLL using therapies funded under the drug program B.79 "Treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (ICD 10: C.91.1)"

Objective: The aim of this publication is to compare the costs of therapies used in the first-line treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and funded under the B.79 drug program in Poland. Methods: The cost analysis of treatment was presented in two variants: cost analysis of therapy until disease progression and cost analysis of continuous treatment (without considering therapy discontinuation). For the second variant, estimated costs were presented for a two-year and three-year time horizon. The drug dosing was based on the records of the B.79 drug program. Results: The average treatment cost for time-limited therapies ranges from PLN 62,611 for OBI + CLB to PLN 238,803 for VEN + IBR. For therapies used continuously until progression, the average treatment cost ranges from PLN 421,178 for IBR to PLN 478,071 for ZAN. The total cost parity between VEN + OBI and therapies requiring continuous treatment until disease progression occurs around the 80th to 91st week, while for IBR + VEN, the total costs equalize around the 119th to 134th week of treatment. After these time points, there is a potential cost saving for the public payer. Conclusions: The limited duration of treatment allows for cost control within the drug program. Even in the short-term time horizon, the use of time-limited therapies enables savings for the public payer.