Thresholds for decision-making: informing the cost-effectiveness and affordability of rotavirus vaccines in Malaysia

Loganathan, Tharani and Ng, Chiu Wan and Lee, Way Seah and Hutubessy, Raymond Christiaan W. and Verguet, Stephane and Jit, Mark (2017) Thresholds for decision-making: informing the cost-effectiveness and affordability of rotavirus vaccines in Malaysia. Health Policy and Planning, 33 (2). pp. 204-214. ISSN 0268-1080, DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czx166.

Full text not available from this repository.
Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czx166

Abstract

Cost-effectiveness thresholds (CETs) based on the Commission on Macroeconomics and Health (CMH) are extensively used in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) lacking locally defined CETs. These thresholds were originally intended for global and regional prioritization, and do not reflect local context or affordability at the national level, so their value for informing resource allocation decisions has been questioned. Using these thresholds, rotavirus vaccines are widely regarded as cost-effective interventions in LMICs. However, high vaccine prices remain a barrier towards vaccine introduction. This study aims to evaluate the cost-effectiveness, affordability and threshold price of universal rotavirus vaccination at various CETs in Malaysia. Cost-effectiveness of Rotarix and RotaTeq were evaluated using a multi-cohort model. Pan American Health Organization Revolving Fund's vaccine prices were used as tender price, while the recommended retail price for Malaysia was used as market price. We estimate threshold prices defined as prices at which vaccination becomes cost-effective, at various CETs reflecting economic theories of human capital, societal willingness-to-pay and marginal productivity. A budget impact analysis compared programmatic costs with the healthcare budget. At tender prices, both vaccines were cost-saving. At market prices, cost-effectiveness differed with thresholds used. At market price, using 'CMH thresholds', Rotarix programmes were cost-effective and RotaTeq were not cost-effective from the healthcare provider's perspective, while both vaccines were cost-effective from the societal perspective. Using other CETs, both vaccines were not cost-effective at market price, from the healthcare provider's and societal perspectives. At tender and cost-effective prices, rotavirus vaccination cost 1 and 3% of the public health budget, respectively. Using locally defined thresholds, rotavirus vaccination is cost-effective at vaccine prices in line with international tenders, but not at market prices. Thresholds representing marginal productivity are likely to be lower than those reflecting human capital and individual preference measures, and may be useful in determining affordable vaccine prices.

Item Type: Article
Funders: University of Malaya/Ministry of Higher Education (UM/MOHE) High Impact Research Grant (Grant number E000010-20001)
Uncontrolled Keywords: affordability; cost-effectiveness; Cost-effectiveness thresholds; vaccine price
Subjects: R Medicine
Divisions: Faculty of Medicine
Depositing User: Ms. Juhaida Abd Rahim
Date Deposited: 30 May 2019 02:16
Last Modified: 30 May 2019 02:16
URI: http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/21408

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item