Ixekizumab treatment patterns and healthcare utilization and costs for patients with psoriasis

Objectives: To describe ixekizumab treatment patterns, all-cause healthcare utilization, and costs among psoriasis patients. Methods: Adults diagnosed with psoriasis having >= 1 ixekizumab claim were selected from MarketScan (R) databases between March 01, 2016 and July 31, 2017. Patients were continuously enrolled for >= 6 months prior and >= 3 months after the index date (first ixekizumab claim) and followed until inpatient death, end of enrollment, or end of data. Treatment patterns included persistence, switching, and re-initiation. All-cause utilization and costs were reported per-patient-per-month (PPPM). Results: 801 patients (mean age 49 years; 55.8% male; median follow-up 201 days) were included. Among all patients, 87.4% were persistent (mean (median) duration 86 (75) days) Of the 12.6% of patients who discontinued ixekizumab, 11.9% re-initiated and 6.9% switched treatments. Mean (median) time to switching was 208 (206) days. Mean number of all-cause inpatient admissions and physician office visits PPPM were 0.01 and 0.72, respectively. Mean total cost PPPM was $8,371, of which pharmacy comprised $7,792. Ixekizumab costs, $7,079, occurred primarily during induction and were paid predominantly by health plans ($6,810 [96.2%]). Conclusion: Most (87.4%) ixekizumab users remained persistent during follow-up. Pharmacy was the primary driver of total healthcare costs, with the majority covered by health plans and <4% as patient out-of-pocket expense.