Abstract
Background: The second most common hematologic cancer worldwide is multiple myeloma (MM), with incidence and mortality rates that have more than doubled over the past 30 years. The safety and efficacy of daratumumab regimens in the treatment of newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) is demonstrated in clinical trials. Objective: To assess the financial effects of the adoption of subcutaneous daratumumab (dara-SC) rather than intravenous daratumumab (dara-IV) for the treatment of NDMM in three Gulf countries (Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates; UAE), a cost-minimization model was constructed. Methods: We performed static cost minimization analyses from a societal perspective to evaluate the costs and possible reductions in resource utilization associated with a shift from dara-IV infusion to dara-SC injection for NDMM patients over a 5-year time horizon. The model included 2 scenarios: the current scenario in which 100% of patients with NDMM are treated with dara-IV infusion and a future scenario in which dara-SC injection is gradually adopted over the modeled time horizon. The model differentiated precisely between autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT)-eligible and ASCT-ineligible NDMM patients in terms of their number in each group and the associated therapeutic regimens. One-way sensitivity analyses were also conducted. Results: The model showed that the use of dara-SC in NDMM patients who were eligible or ineligible for ASCT resulted in lower non-drug costs, including premedication drug costs, adverse-effect costs, administration costs, medical staff costs, and indirect costs. The resulting total savings over the 5-year time horizon of the model for Hamad Medical Corporation, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital/Royal Hospital, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), and Tawam Hospital were QAR -2 522 686, OMR -143 214, AED -30 010 627, and AED -5 003 471, respectively. Conclusion: The introduction of dara-SC as a front-line treatment for NDMM patients in Qatar (Hamad Medical Corporation), Oman (Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Royal Hospital-MOH), and the UAE (SSMC and Tawam Hospital) can help save resources and minimize constraints on the healthcare system.