Core cost-effectiveness and budget impact model for a chronic pain medication

Our client, the Global Asset Market Access Lead at a mid-sized pharmaceutical company, was responsible for a chronic pain treatment supported by a strong clinical trial programme. They sought a partner to develop robust cost-effectiveness and budget impact models that demonstrate the therapy’s value using all available evidence and data.

The challenge

Although recommended as a second-line therapy for chronic pain, the therapy was often reserved as a last-line option in practice. Our client sought expert support to build global economic models that could help change prescribing behaviour and position the therapy earlier in the treatment pathway.

How we helped

Solaris worked closely with the client to design model plans with clearly defined structure, assumptions, and inputs, leveraging both new and existing materials to ensure continuity, accuracy, and efficiency in model development. The team reviewed clinical documentation and conducted a targeted literature review to address data gaps in cost and adverse event treatment. Using a systematic approach guided by industry best practice, Solaris’ health economists developed a user-friendly cost-effectiveness model and a separate budget impact model in Excel, adapted to the UK, along with technical reports covering sensitivity and scenario analyses.

Outcome

The final models demonstrated favourable cost effectiveness and budget impact of the asset in key populations. Solaris have since successfully adapted these models for our client to use in country-specific reimbursement submissions and payer discussions.