Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy

This original article presents an observational study focused on the cost-effectiveness analysis of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) for patients suffering from pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) in China. The study aims to evaluate the economic viability of PERT, which is the standard treatment for PEI, particularly in a healthcare context where it is not included in the national essential medicine list. A decision analytical Markov model was developed to simulate patient progress, specifically targeting those with advanced pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis. The analysis compares the costs and health outcomes of patients receiving PERT versus those not receiving it. Results indicate that PERT can provide additional quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) at a cost-effective rate, with incremental cost-effectiveness ratios ranging from 5178 to 9533 dollars per QALY. The findings suggest that PERT is a cost-effective treatment option for PEI patients in China, supporting the need for its inclusion in essential medicine lists to improve patient access to this therapy.