Advances in therapyJun 7, 2019

Long-term cost-effectiveness of once-weekly semaglutide compared to dulaglutide for managing type 2 diabetes in Slovakia

GLP-1 Therapies Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗OA ↗

Updated Apr 5, 2026

Abstract

Once-weekly semaglutide 0.5 mg and 1 mg were associated with improvements of 0.04 and 0.07 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), respectively, compared to dulaglutide 1.5 mg.

Both doses of once-weekly semaglutide resulted in cost savings of EUR 20 and EUR 140 per patient compared to dulaglutide.
Lifetime medical costs were similar between both treatments.
Both doses of once-weekly semaglutide were deemed dominant treatment options over dulaglutide for obese patients with type 2 diabetes in Slovakia.

Simplified

INTRODUCTION: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists represent a class of treatments for type 2 diabetes that offer multifactorial benefits, including glycemic control, weight loss and low hypoglycemia risk. Once-weekly semaglutide is a novel GLP-1 analog that has been associated with improved glycemic control and reduced body mass index (BMI) versus once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist dulaglutide in SUSTAIN 7, which is reimbursed in patients with a BMI > 35 kg/min Slovakia. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term cost-effectiveness of once-weekly semaglutide 0.5 mg and 1 mg versus dulaglutide 1.5 mg in Slovakia. 2

METHODS: Clinical and cost outcomes were projected over patient lifetimes using the IQVIA CORE Diabetes Model. Baseline cohort characteristics and treatment effects were based on the sub-group of patients with a BMI > 35 kg/min SUSTAIN 7. Patients were modeled to receive once-weekly semaglutide or dulaglutide for 3 years, after which treatment was intensified to basal insulin. Treatment effects associated with once-weekly semaglutide and dulaglutide were maintained for the first 3 years before HbA1c increased to 7.0% and BMI reverted to baseline. Costs were accounted from a healthcare payer perspective in Slovakia and expressed in euros (EUR). Utilities relating to quality of life were taken from published sources. 2

RESULTS: Once-weekly semaglutide 0.5 mg and 1 mg were associated with improvements in quality-adjusted life expectancy of 0.04 and 0.07 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), respectively, versus dulaglutide 1.5 mg. Lifetime medical costs were similar, with cost savings of EUR 20 and EUR 140 per patient with once-weekly semaglutide 0.5 mg and 1 mg, respectively, versus dulaglutide 1.5 mg. Both doses of once-weekly semaglutide were therefore considered dominant versus dulaglutide 1.5 mg.

CONCLUSION: Both doses of once-weekly semaglutide represent cost-saving treatment options versus dulaglutide 1.5 mg for obese patients with type 2 diabetes in Slovakia.

FUNDING: Novo Nordisk A/S.

Key numbers

0.04

Increase in QALYs with semaglutide 0.5 mg

Quality-adjusted life expectancy compared to dulaglutide 1.5 mg

0.07

Increase in QALYs with semaglutide 1 mg

Quality-adjusted life expectancy compared to dulaglutide 1.5 mg

EUR 140

Cost savings with semaglutide 1 mg

Lifetime medical costs compared to dulaglutide 1.5 mg

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Long-term cost-effectiveness of once-weekly semaglutide compared to dulaglutide for managing type 2 diabetes in Slovakia

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