Budget impact analysis of rituximab biosimilar in patients with haematological cancers in Qatar

Abstract Objective: Rituximab is widely used in the management of several haematological malignancies. Biosimilars of rituximab, such as Rexathone, have demonstrated comparable efficacy and safety to the reference product. Yet, the economic outcomes of biosimilars remain unexplored. This budget impact analysis (BIA) aims to compare the introduction of Rexathone with the reference rituximab in haematological cancers in Qatar, with subgroup analyses for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL), Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL), Burkitt Lymphoma, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Here, we present the preliminary results for the NHL subgroup. Methods: A 5-year BIA model was conducted from the hospital perspective to compare the total cost savings associated with reference rituximab versus Rexathone. All model inputs and resource cost data were derived from the National Center for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR) in Qatar. Market share scenarios for Rexathone were modeled progressively over the 5-year period, starting with 20% in year 1 and increasing to 100% in year 5. Costs included expenses for drug acquisition and administration. Subgroup analyses were pre-defined based on the hematologic indications. Results: In the NHL subgroup, replacing reference rituximab with Rexathone resulted in cumulative cost savings of QAR 7,501,796 over five years. Annual savings increased with market share uptake, reaching up to QAR 2,690,075 in Year 5, representing 100% replacement of the reference rituximab. Total costs over 5 years with the reference rituximab were estimated at QAR 54,837,497, compared to QAR 47,335,700 with Rexathone. The average savings per patient per treatment course was QAR 9,000. Conclusion: The preliminary results in NHL suggest that adopting rituximab biosimilar (Rexathone) may offer significant cost savings for healthcare systems without compromising clinical outcomes.