Entresto Reduces Health Care Costs in Heart Failure Patients

Data presented at the AMCP 2018 Annual Meeting demonstrated that Entresto (sacubitril/valsartan; Novartis) reduced all-cause hospitalizations and health care costs in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

The study used real-world data from adults in large commercial and Medicare Advantage managed care health plans. The researchers examined per patient per month hospitalizations and health care costs at 3 to 12 months follow-up. They also collected claims data for patients taking angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin-receptor blockers.

Patients in the Entresto group had lower average per patient per month heart failure-related hospitalizations and all-cause hospitalizations, compared with patients taking angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.

“In our real-world report, health care costs were reduced by an average of 28% due to lower all-cause health care costs (medical costs and outpatient pharmacy costs),” Nancy Abert, PhD, associate chief nursing officer at  Cleveland Clinic Health System told First Report Managed Care. “Ultimately, an increase in mean all-cause outpatient pharmacy costs were offset by fewer heart failure and all-cause hospitalizations.”  

Further, patients taking Entresto had lower combined medical and outpatient pharmacy costs, at $3220, compared with $4495 among patients taking angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers.

“Ultimately, health care provider goals of care are to ensure that we optimally treat our patients so that they live longer and feel better,” Dr Albert said. “When we use medications that are known to decrease mortality and hospitalization at a higher rate than alternative therapies, we ought to consider using clinically. Uptake of new medications in the United States is slow, even when research shows benefit. Providers must have discussions with patients about switching medications when they meet criteria for using, to improve their length and quality of life.”

—David Costill