Authors' objectives:

This report aims to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of palivizumab (Synagis(R)) in the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in infants at high risk of infection.

Authors' recommendations: Palivizumab appears to be an effective in preventing serious lower respiratory-tract infection caused by RSV requiring hospitalisation in high-risk infants. However, in our base-case cost-effectiveness model palivizumab was not good value for money if used in all children who meet the licensed indication. However, this is not how the drug is currently being used by clinicians in the UK who reserve it for those children at greatest risk. A sensitivity analysis varying the probability of hospitalisation in the absence of prophylaxis shows that palivizumab becomes increasingly cost effective as the probability of hospitalisation increases. When the probability is 31% or greater the incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) drops to below 30,000 GBP per life year gained. The IMpact RSV published trial data does not permit an estimation of prognostic indicators.

Authors' methods: Systematic review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/Documents/college-mds/haps/projects/WMHTAC/REPreports/2001/Palivizumab_final_post_panel.pdf

Year Published: 2001

URL for published report: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/activity/mds/projects/HaPS/PHEB/WMHTAC/REP/reports-list.aspx

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England

Organisation Name: West Midlands Health Technology Assessment Collaboration

Contact Address: Elaena Donald-Lopez, West Midlands Health Technology Assessment Collaboration, Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT Tel: +44 121 414 7450; Fax: +44 121 414 7878

Contact Name: louise.a.taylor@bham.ac.uk

Contact Email: louise.a.taylor@bham.ac.uk

Copyright: University of Birmingham