Unmet need for and impact of adopting immunobiological drugs for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in a pediatric population.

Palhano et al. demonstrate the feasibility of incorporating secukinumab and ustekinumab into the Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines for moderate to severe psoriasis in pediatric patients.

Objective: Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of secukinumab and ustekinumab against moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in a Brazilian pediatric population with access to public healthcare.

Methods: A survey of immunobiological treatments registered for use against pediatric psoriasis at the National Health Surveillance Agency was conducted. These treatments were compared to the list available in the same treatment category in the public health system through the Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines for psoriasis. A quantitative analysis of the data of patients treated with immunobiological drugs the previous year in accordance with the Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines was performed using data available in the DATASUS portal.

Results: The public budget impact scenarios analyzed were comparable to the investment already planned for acquiring the only available drug option.

Conclusion: The incorporation of two therapeutic options in the Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines list for moderate-to-severe pediatric psoriasis was feasible in a horizon of 5 years compared to the investment into the single option available to pediatric patients. These findings can facilitate the local analysis of budgetary impact and discussions on the feasibility of this therapeutic incorporation at the state level. Incorporation of secukinumab and ustekinumab was economically feasible. These drugs are options for those who do not respond to or have contraindications to etanercept.