Trial finds that Brilinta / Brilique (AstraZeneca) is cost effective for Acute Coronary Syndrome patients - 28-Jun-2012

Full data results of the PLATO health economics substudy, which have been published online in the European Heart Journal, demonstrate that even at a higher drug cost and incremental cost per Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) patient, Brilinta / Brilique (ticagrelor), from AstraZeneca, numerically lowered non-drug healthcare costs versus generic clopidogrel and is cost-effective. The analysis used in the health economics substudy included the Swedish costs for both ticagrelor and generic clopidogrel and found that though treating ACS patients with ticagrelor costs an additional average of €96 per patient/year, treatment with ticagrelor resulted in a 21% mortality benefit and lower healthcare costs at 12 months as compared to generic clopidogrel. Results suggest that treatment with ticagrelor was cost-effective for ACS patients, compared to the lower-priced generic option, because the medicine improved survival, reduced recurrent events and reduced other healthcare costs. The PLATO health economics data is part of a prospectively designed substudy of PLATO designed to help address important questions related to the access and affordability of ticagrelor around the world. To date, ticagrelor has received positive reimbursement recommendations in 25 countries, including European markets such as the UK, Germany and Italy.