The Cost of Treating Mucormycosis with Isavuconazole Compared with Standard Therapy in the UK

AIM: Mucormycosis is a fungal infection associated with high mortality. Until recently, the only licensed treatments were amphotericin B (AMB) formulations. Isavuconazole (ISAV) is a new mucormycosis treatment. A UK-based economic model explored treatment costs with ISAV versus liposomal AMB followed by posaconazole. MATERIALS & METHODS: As a matched case-control analysis showed similar efficacy for ISAV and AMB, a cost-minimization approach was taken. Direct costs - drug acquisition, monitoring and administration, and hospitalization costs - were estimated from the National Health Service perspective. RESULTS: Per-patient costs for ISAV and liposomal AMB + posaconazole were UK£26,810 and UK£41,855, respectively, with savings primarily driven by drug acquisition and hospitalization costs. CONCLUSION: ISAV may reduce costs compared with standard mucormycosis therapy.