Aim: To identify the clinical and economic circumstances under which a pharmacogenomic test that predicts response to inhaled corticosteroids might be a cost-effective option for individuals with asthma.
Materials & methods: We synthesized published data on clinical and economic outcomes to project 10-year costs, quality-adjusted life-years and cost-effectiveness of pharmacogenomic testing for inhaled corticosteroid response. We assumed the pharmacogenomic test cost was $500 with a sensitivity and specificity of 84 and 98%, respectively. These were varied in sensitivity analyses.
Results: Both strategies, pharmacogenomic testing for inhaled corticosteroid response and no testing conferred 7.1 quality-adjusted life-years. Compared with no testing, pharmacogenomic testing costs less.
Conclusion: Pharmacogenomic testing for asthma is cost-saving and noninferior in improving health. Original submitted 19 November 2014; Revision submitted 23 February 2015.
Keywords: asthma; cost–effectiveness; inhaled corticosteroids; pharmacogenomics; predictive test.