Cost per kilogram of weight loss with was £102.86, £85.41, and £89.24 for doses of 5, 10, and 15 mg, respectively.
Tirzepatide showed significant weight loss efficacy over 72 weeks, with greater reductions observed at higher doses.
Average costs for achieving 5% weight loss were £1852, £1971, and £2186 for 5, 10, and 15 mg doses.
For 10% weight loss, average costs were £2258, £2209, and £2338 across the same doses.
The 15 mg dose was identified as the most cost-efficient option for achieving higher weight loss targets of 15% and 20%.
Tirzepatide may lead to cost savings in healthcare by reducing obesity-related health risks.
Simplified
INTRODUCTION: , an anti-obesity medication, demonstrated significant weight loss efficacy in the SURMOUNT-1 randomized controlled trial. This analysis evaluates the cost-efficiency of tirzepatide in the UK by linking clinical outcomes to drug acquisition costs.
METHODS: Data from SURMOUNT-1 (2539 participants across global sites) were used to assess tirzepatide's (5, 10, and 15 mg) impact on weight reduction over 72 weeks (72W), with a focus on drug acquisition costs and cost/weight loss outcome. Cost needed to treat and cost-to-target analyses were performed to determine the economic value of achieving specific weight loss goals and improvements in body mass index (BMI).
RESULTS: Tirzepatide demonstrated significant weight loss, with greater reductions at higher doses. Cost/kilogram of weight loss at 72W was £102.86, £85.41, and £89.24 for 5, 10, and 15 mg, respectively. Average per-patient costs at 72W for 5% weight loss were £1852, £1971, and £2186 (5, 10, and 15 mg, respectively; average 28-day costs: £102.90, £109.52, and £121.47). Average per-patient costs for 10% weight loss were £2258, £2209, and £2338 (28-day costs: £125.43, £122.69, and £129.88). The 15 mg dose was the most cost-efficient for achieving higher weight loss targets (15% and 20%).
CONCLUSIONS: In the SURMOUNT-1 study, tirzepatide was cost-efficient in the UK for weight management, demonstrating favourable economic outcomes relative to its efficacy in reducing body weight and improving BMI. It provided additional health benefits, including reduced risks for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular events and improved mental health. Tirzepatide contributed to cost savings and improved efficiency within the healthcare system by decreasing the burden of obesity-related conditions, thus enhancing overall healthcare resource allocation. These findings support its inclusion in clinical practice guidelines and healthcare formularies. Further research is needed to explore real-world adherence, patient-centred outcomes, and the long-term sustainability of weight loss with tirzepatide.
Key numbers
22.5%
Weight Loss Reduction at 15 mg
Percentage weight loss achieved after 72 weeks.
£85.41
Cost per Kilogram Lost at 10 mg
Cost per kilogram of weight loss after 72 weeks.
£2186
Average Cost for 5% Weight Loss at 15 mg
Per-patient cost for achieving 5% weight loss at 72 weeks.
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Declarations. Conflict of Interest: Marc Evans and Alun Lloyd Davies report no conflicts of interest for the work under consideration for publication. Erik Spaepen reports receiving consulting fees from Eli Lilly and Company. William Evans, and Fiona Godbeer are employees and minor shareholders of Eli Lilly and Company. Laurienne Edgar is a former employee of Eli Lilly and Company. Ethical Approval: This article is based on previously conducted studies and does not contain any new studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors. The SURMOUNT-1 study received the necessary ethical approvals from all study sites, obtained informed patient consent to participate and was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.
