• John Slof and Adrien Gras.
• Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de la UAB, Bellaterra, Spain.
• Expert Rev Pharmacoecon Outcomes Res. 2012 Aug 1;12(4):439-41.

BackgroundMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressive disease that carries a high socioeconomic burden. Spasticity (rigidity and spasms) is common in MS and a key contributor to MS-related disability.ObjectivesThis study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of Sativex®, a 9-d-tetrahydrocannabinol/cannabidiol-based oromucosal spray that acts as an endocannabinoid system modulator. Sativex was recently approved for the management of resistant MS spasticity as add-on medication.MethodsA Markov model-based analysis was performed over a 5-year horizon from a German and Spanish healthcare payer perspective. The incremental cost of Sativex was low compared with current spasticity treatments, and provided a quality-adjusted life-year gain over the current standard of care.ResultsThe base-case incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for Sativex was estimated at €11,214/quality-adjusted life-year in Germany, while the drug was the dominant option in Spain, providing savings of €3496/patient over a 5-year period (year of costing: 2010). This was seen because the lower severity of spasticity in patients who had improved led to reduced resource consumption (e.g., physiotherapy and medications).ConclusionDespite having a relatively high acquisition cost, Sativex was shown to be a cost-effective treatment option for patients with MS-related spasticity.

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