Understanding and acceptance of cost effectiveness of biologics by Japanese RA patients

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Biologics have been shown to improve the outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Those drugs are so expensive that, under an insurance system of Japan, the understanding and acceptance of cost effectiveness of those drugs by Japanese patients with RA remains unknown. This paper aimed to clear the cost effectiveness evaluation to the biologics by the patients who are taking those drugs. METHODS: We assess the cost-effectiveness of biologics using an unsigned questionnaire for 445 RA patients taking biologics periodically in ambulatory care. RESULT: Almost all patients estimated that general effects of biologics were good. The monthly increase in expense caused by biologics was 30-60 thousand yen. More than half of RA patients perceived that the cost is expensive in relation to the effectiveness of those drugs. Although the patients whose income actually increased were only 10%, the patients with increased income had increase of600thousand yen or more in annual income. Irrespective of the existence of increases of income, more than2/3of the patients could have more than two hours of working time per day after the start of the biologics treatment. CONCLUSION: Rheumatologists need to understand such cost and burden on RA patients, and should introduce biologics for suitable patients.