Ocrelizumab is more cost-effective than subcutaneous (SC) interferon beta-1a for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS), a recent study found. A Markov cohort model with a 20-year horizon was developed to compare ocrelizumab with SC interferon beta-1a from a US payer perspective. A cohort of patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores of 0–6, who initiated treatment with ocrelizumab or SC interferon beta-1a, were included. The model considered 21 health states: EDSS 0–9 in RRMS, EDSS 0–9 in secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS), and death. Investigators found:

• Ocrelizumab was associated with a cost savings of $63,822 and longer life years (LYs) (Δ=0.046) and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) (Δ=0.556).
• The results of the model were robust in the deterministic sensitivity analyses and probabilistic sensitivity analysis.