Cost-effectiveness of cidofovir 3% versus imiquimod 5% in plantar warts

Introduction: Plantar warts may significantly affect the patient‘s quality of life. We present a cost-effectiveness analysis among third line therapy alternatives, topical imiquimod and cidofovir.Method: We compared the published data of each drug’s effectiveness, cost of cidofovir formula and the laboratory sale price (LSP +4% VAT) of imiquimod. An incremental cost-effectiveness analysis was estimated and univariate and multivariate sensitivity analyses were undertaken subsequently by changing the mainparameter values of base-case.Results: After the assessment of data, we objectifed that cidofovir supposed investing 535.16€ per additional patient cured or 648.33€ per additional patient achieving a response. In the univariate sensitivity analysis, the incremental cost-effectiveness of cidofovir ranges from 350€ to 7,250€. In the case of multivariate analysis, it was observed that the worst scenarios for cidofovir favoured imifuimod.Discussion: The multivariate sensitivity analysis shows a better cost-effectiveness profle for imiquimod in the worst scenario for cidofovir; the remaining analysis favours cidofovir, although, in certain cases, at a very high price