Introduction: Geographic transferability of model-based cost-effectiveness results may facilitate and shorten the reimbursement process of new pharmaceuticals. This study provides a real world example of transferring a cost-effectiveness study of trastuzumab for the adjuvant treatment of HER2-positive early breast cancer from the United Kingdom to The Netherlands. Methods: Three successive steps were taken. Step 1: Collect available information with regard to the original model, and assess transferability using existing checklists. Step 2: Adapt transferability-limiting factors. Step 3: Obtain a country-specific estimate of cost-effectiveness. Results: The structure of the UK model was transferable, although some of the model inputs needed adaptation. From a health-care perspective, the Dutch estimate amounted to €5828/quality-adjusted life-year gained. From a societal perspective, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was dominant. Conclusion: Transferability of a model-based UK-study in three steps proved to be an efficient method to provide an early indication of the cost-effectiveness of trastuzumab and has led to the provisional reimbursement of the treatment.

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
doi.org/10.1111/j.1524-4733.2009.00683.x, hdl.handle.net/1765/20729
Value in Health
Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam

Essers, B., Seferina, S., Tjan-Heijnen, V., Severens, H., Novák, A., Pompen, M., … Joore, M. (2010). Transferability of model-based economic evaluations: The case of trastuzumab for the adjuvant treatment of her2-positive early breast cancer in the netherlands. Value in Health, 13(4), 375–380. doi:10.1111/j.1524-4733.2009.00683.x