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.
Keywords: cost; economic; healthcare; invasive fungal infection; isavuconazole; liposomal amphotericin B; mucormycosis; posaconazole.