Pharmacoeconomic analysis of levilimab use as rheumatoid arthritis therapy in the healthcare system of the Russian Federation

Objective. To assess the economic feasibility of using levilimab (LVL) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared with other interleukin-6 inhibitors (IL-6i) currently used in the healthcare system of the Russian Federation. Material and methods. A cost-minimization analysis was performed according to the approved dosing regimens registered in the Russian Federation for all IL-6i used in RA therapy. The possibility of a reduced dosing regimen for LVL and olokizumab (OKZ), as indicated in the summary of product characteristics, was also considered. Results and discussion. LVL showed the lowest therapy costs for RA starting from the second year and beyond, compared with other IL-6i, assuming comparable clinical efficacy according to ACR50 and DAS28 criteria. Treatment costs for LVL in the second and subsequent years were 11.2% lower than for OKZ, 26.7% lower than for tocilizumab (TCZ) for intravenous use, and 30.9% lower than for TCZ for subcutaneous use. Conclusion. LVL therapy in patients with RA is an economically reasonable given its two dosing regimens. The use of LVL can reduce healthcare system expenditures over a 2-year and longer horizon while maintaining comparable clinical efficacy to other IL-6i, thereby enabling treatment of a larger number of patients.