IntroductionOnce-weekly semaglutide is a new glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue administered at a 1.0 or 0.5 mg dose. As head-to-head trials assessing once-weekly semaglutide as an add-on to 1–2 oral anti-diabetic drugs (OADs) vs other GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are limited, a network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed. The objective was to assess the relative efficacy and safety of once-weekly semaglutide vs GLP-1 RAs in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) inadequately controlled on 1–2 OADs.MethodsA systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted in order to identify trials of GLP-1 RAs in patients inadequately controlled on 1–2 OADs. Data at 24 ± 4 weeks were extracted for efficacy and safety outcomes (feasible for analysis in a NMA), which included the key outcomes of change from baseline in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and weight, as well as discontinuation due to adverse events (AEs). Data were synthesized using a NMA and a Bayesian framework.ResultsIn total, 26 studies were included across the base case analyses. Once-weekly semaglutide 1.0 mg was associated with significantly greater reductions in HbA1c and weight vs all GLP-1 RA comparators. Once-weekly semaglutide 0.5 mg also achieved significantly greater reductions in HbA1c and weight compared with the majority of other GLP-1 RAs. Both doses of once-weekly semaglutide were associated with similar odds of discontinuation due to AEs compared with other GLP-1 RAs.ConclusionOverall, once-weekly semaglutide 1.0 mg as an add-on to 1–2 OADs is the most efficacious GLP-1 RA in terms of the reduction of HbA1c and weight from baseline after 6 months of treatment. In addition, the analysis suggests that once-weekly semaglutide is well tolerated and not associated with an increase in discontinuations due to AEs compared with other GLP-1 RAs.FundingNovo Nordisk.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s13300-018-0424-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Introduction Type 2 diabetes represents a continuing healthcare challenge, and choosing cost-effective treatments is crucial to ensure that healthcare resources are used efficiently. The present analysis assessed the cost-effectiveness of once-weekly semaglutide 1 mg versus empagliflozin 25 mg for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with inadequate glycaemic control on metformin monotherapy from a healthcare payer perspective in the UK. Methods Outcomes were projected over patient lifetimes using the IQVIA CORE Diabetes Model. Baseline cohort characteristics and treatment effects of initiation of once-weekly semaglutide 1 mg and empagliflozin 25 mg were based on an indirect comparison conducted using patient-level data, as there is currently no head-to-head clinical trial comparing these therapies. Modelled patients received treatments until glycated haemoglobin exceeded 7.5% (58 mmol/mol), at which point patients initiated basal insulin. The analysis captured pharmacy costs and costs of diabetes-related complications, expressed in 2019 pounds sterling (GBP). Projected outcomes were discounted at 3.5% annually. Scenario analyses were prepared to assess uncertainty around projected outcomes. Results Once-weekly semaglutide 1 mg was associated with increases in life expectancy and quality-adjusted life expectancy of 0.12 years and 0.23 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), respectively, compared with empagliflozin 25 mg. Projected improvements in quality and duration of life resulted from a reduced cumulative incidence and a delayed time to onset of diabetes-related complications. Once-weekly semaglutide was associated with increased pharmacy costs, but this was partially offset by avoided costs of treating complications. Once-weekly semaglutide was associated with an increase in costs of GBP 1017 per patient, leading to an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of GBP 4439 per QALY gained. Conclusion Once-weekly semaglutide 1 mg was projected to be a cost-effective treatment option from a healthcare payer perspective compared with empagliflozin 25 mg for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes in the UK setting.

Once-daily IDegLira may be considered a cost-effective treatment option for prescribers, to improve glycaemic control for type 2 diabetes patients uncontrolled on basal insulin without an increased risk of hypoglycaemia or weight gain, and without adding to their injection burden.

IntroductionInsulin degludec/liraglutide (IDegLira) is the first basal insulin and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) in a single pen injection device, and a once-daily treatment option for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who are uncontrolled on basal insulin and require treatment intensification. The objective of this analysis was to evaluate the long-term cost-effectiveness of IDegLira versus basal-bolus therapy (insulin glargine U100 + 3× daily insulin aspart) for patients with T2DM uncontrolled on basal insulin [HbA1c >53 mmol/mol (>7%)] in the Netherlands.MethodsCost-effectiveness analysis was performed using the validated IMS CORE Diabetes Model from a healthcare payer perspective. Outcomes were modeled over patient lifetimes in a cohort with baseline characteristics from the DUAL™ II trial. Treatment effect data were sourced from a statistical indirect comparison (pooled analysis) of IDegLira with basal-bolus therapy.ResultsTreatment with IDegLira resulted in mean increases in quality-adjusted life expectancy of 0.43 quality-adjusted life years versus basal-bolus therapy. Improved clinical outcomes resulted from fewer diabetes-related complications and a delayed time to their onset. IDegLira was associated with lower costs of EUR 4679 versus basal-bolus therapy, a result of lower pharmacy costs and avoided diabetes-related complications. Thus, IDegLira was dominant, i.e., both more effective and less costly than basal-bolus therapy.ConclusionsIDegLira is an effective treatment option to improve glycemic control without incurring an increased risk of hypoglycemia or weight gain. This analysis suggests that IDegLira is cost-effective versus basal-bolus therapy in patients with T2DM who are uncontrolled on basal insulin in the Netherlands.FundingNovo Nordisk.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13300-017-0266-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

IntroductionOnce-weekly semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue that is currently available as 1.0 mg and 0.5 mg dose for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Currently, no head-to-head trial investigating once-weekly semaglutide as an add-on to basal insulin vs other GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) is available. The aim of this study was to conduct a network meta-analysis (NMA) to assess the efficacy and safety of once-weekly semaglutide vs other GLP-1 RAs in patients with T2D inadequately controlled on basal insulin.MethodsA systematic literature review was performed to identify all trials of GLP-1 RAs as an add-on to basal insulin in patients with T2D. Data at 24 ± 4 weeks were extracted for efficacy and safety outcomes (feasible for analysis in an NMA), including the change from baseline in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body weight, and systolic blood pressure, and the incidence of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Data were synthesized using a NMA and a Bayesian framework.ResultsIn total, eight studies were included across the base-case analyses. The results demonstrate that once-weekly semaglutide 1.0 mg was associated with significantly greater reductions in HbA1c (− 0.88% to − 1.39% vs comparators) and weight (− 1.49 to − 4.69 kg vs comparators) and similar odds of experiencing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea vs all GLP-1 RA comparators. Once-weekly semaglutide 1.0 mg was also equally effective at reducing systolic blood pressure compared with liraglutide 1.8 mg. Once-weekly semaglutide 0.5 mg significantly reduced HbA1c vs the majority of other GLP-1 RAs, except liraglutide 1.8 mg QD. The odds of experiencing nausea were significantly lower with once-weekly semaglutide 0.5 mg compared with all GLP-1 RA comparators.ConclusionOnce-weekly semaglutide 1.0 mg as an add-on to basal insulin is likely to be the most efficacious GLP-1 RA for reducing HbA1c and weight from baseline after 6 months of treatment. The efficacy of once-weekly semaglutide is not associated with a significant increase in the incidence of gastrointestinal side-effects vs other GLP-1 RAs.FundingNovo Nordisk.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s13300-018-0428-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.