Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chronic heart failure (CHF) affects millions worldwide, posing a significant burden on healthcare resources. For patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) following a worsening event, vericiguat is a promising new treatment. In this study we evaluated the budgetary impact on Japan's health system with the introduction of vericiguat as an add-on to standard of care (SoC) for chronic HFrEF after a worsening event. METHODS AND RESULTS: An economic model was developed comparing SoC to a scenario in which vericiguat is introduced as an add-on therapy over a 5-year time horizon. A literature review, medical claims data and clinical trial data were used to derive inputs. Total healthcare costs after introducing vericiguat were estimated to increase <1% over 5 years compared to the SoC scenario showing a cumulated budget impact of US$41,027,304. Increases were driven by drug and medical costs, but were partially offset by decreasing costs for hospitalizations, terminal care, and urgent HF visits. In the sensitivity analyses, the hospitalization rate had the largest effect on the overall budget impact. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis highlighted the minimal budgetary impact of vericiguat and its potential to reduce hospitalizations in Japan. Although drug and monitoring costs increased, reductions in acute care expenses helped offset these costs. Further research is needed on long-term cost-effectiveness and real-world outcomes.