Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s Disease (CD) Can Be Costly for Patients and Health Systems1

According to a retrospective survey of pharmacy and administrative claims data, annual mean healthcare costs for patients with CD were over 3 times higher than in control patients, with the highest costs seen within the first year of diagnosis.1

line graph of annual costs for patients with Crohn's disease

The actual cost can be much higher, because over 60% of patients with CD also have at least one other chronic condition.2 Comorbidities such as anemia and psychiatric illness are common and can contribute to higher costs.1,2

The use of biosimilars can be a key strategic area for improved cost-effectiveness. Stakeholders can look to the following strategies to reduce costs1,3:

  • Facilitating better access to appropriate medications
  • Minimizing transference of drug costs from payers to patients
Learn more about the potential impact of adding a biosimilar to current health system formularies
 

1. Park KT, Ehrlich OG, Allen JI, et al. The cost of inflammatory bowel disease: an initiative from the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2020;26(1):1-10. 
2. Wagener D. The true cost of Crohn’s disease. GoodRx Health. Published October 21, 2021. Accessed March 4, 2023. https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/crohns-disease/true-cost-of-crohns-disease 3. Kim H, Alten R, Avedano L, et al. The future of biosimilars: maximizing benefits across immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Drugs. 2020;80(2):99-113.