From Research to Policy Implementation: Trastuzumab in Early-Stage Breast Cancer Treatment in Thailand

Objectives: To evaluate the adjuvant therapy of trastuzumab cost and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) in lifetime horizon and describe the use of an economic evaluation in supporting policy-making decisions in the treatment of early-stage breast cancer in Thailand. Methods: A Markov model was used to evaluate the cost effectiveness of 1-year adjuvant trastuzumab for patients with early-stage breast cancer who were considered human epidermal growth factor receptor 2/neu-positive with a societal perspective and lifetime horizon. The research variables were probability of health state change, health utility, and cost of treatment. A sensitivity analysis was conducted using probabilistic methods. A budget impact analysis was also performed. Results: The results revealed that the treatment cost and QALYs in the trastuzumab group yielded 4.59 QALYs. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $3387 (THB 118 572; THB = Thai baht) per QALY. On the basis of the willingness-to-pay threshold in Thailand, a 1-year adjuvant trastuzumab treatment for breast cancer was a cost-effective therapy. Conclusions: A combination therapy that includes trastuzumab is a preferable choice and should be used in early-stage breast cancer treatment. The Thai government has listed trastuzumab on the National List of Essential Medicines to be used for the early stages of breast cancer since 2014.