Work

Cost‐utility of once‐weekly insulin icodec versus once‐daily basal insulins for type 2 diabetes in China

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To comprehensively assess the cost-utility of icodec, the first once-weekly basal insulin, at 700 and 1050 U formulations compared with once-daily basal insulin analogues in Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes within reimbursement context. METHODS: A long-term cost-utility analysis was performed using ONWARDS 5 data from the perspective of the Chinese healthcare system. Icodec (700 and 1050 U) was compared with once-daily insulin glargine U100, glargine U300, and degludec over a 40-year time horizon, applying a 5% annual discount rate. Outcomes included diabetes-related complications, costs, and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Sensitivity and scenario analyses were conducted to evaluate robustness and individual comparator results. RESULTS: Compared with once-daily basal insulin analogues, icodec was associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality (RR = 0.97) and lower cumulative incidence of microvascular and macrovascular complications. Icodec yielded an additional 0.261 QALYs and increased life expectancy by 0.031 years, while reducing total costs by $2544.93 (700 U) and $2,916.92 (1050 U). Cost savings were primarily driven by fewer hypoglycemia events. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed 100% cost-effectiveness at below 0.4 times China's GDP per capita. Across all scenario analyses, icodec was projected to be cost-saving or cost-effective over a lifetime horizon compared with once-daily basal insulin comparators. CONCLUSIONS: Once-weekly icodec represents a cost-effective and clinically beneficial alternative to once-daily basal insulin analogues for Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes within the current reimbursement framework.

Source: Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism

DOI: 10.1111/dom.70567

Authors: Xichen Tong, Chang Xing, Lei Zhang, Lei Zhang, Luying Zhang, Luying Zhang

Institutions: Fudan University, Wuhan University

Language: English

Topic: Health Systems, Economic Evaluations, Quality of Life

Subfield: Economics and Econometrics

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $5,380