Brazil’s public health system is set to incorporate dapagliflozin into standard treatment protocols for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). This decision stems from new research confirming the drug’s cost-effectiveness, potentially enhancing patient outcomes while maintaining financial sustainability.
Comprehensive Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
Researchers developed a Markov model to simulate the long-term clinical and economic impacts of adding dapagliflozin to existing HFrEF treatments. By analyzing data from the DAPA-HF trial alongside local Brazilian healthcare statistics, the study projected outcomes for 1,000 hypothetical patients over their lifetimes.
Significant Health Benefits and Economic Viability
The introduction of dapagliflozin is expected to generate approximately 367 additional quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) across the patient cohort. Although this advancement incurs an incremental cost of around US$1.52 million, the resulting incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) stands at US$4,136 per QALY. This figure remains well below Brazil’s official threshold of US$8,000 per QALY, affirming the strategy’s economic viability.
- Dapagliflozin significantly reduces mortality and hospitalization rates in HFrEF patients.
- The ICER remains favorable even when considering varying patient profiles, including those with and without diabetes.
- High probability (96.60%) of cost-effectiveness under uncertainty, as indicated by probabilistic sensitivity analyses.
The study underscores dapagliflozin’s role not only in improving clinical outcomes but also in offering a financially sustainable option for Brazil’s public healthcare system. By aligning with cost-effectiveness thresholds, dapagliflozin presents a pragmatic solution to managing the escalating burden of heart failure in the country.
Implementing dapagliflozin could lead to broader access for HFrEF patients, potentially reducing the long-term strain on healthcare resources. Policymakers can leverage these findings to inform budget allocations and treatment guidelines, ensuring that patients receive both effective and economically justified therapies.
Future considerations may involve monitoring real-world application of dapagliflozin to validate model predictions and assess long-term impacts beyond the study’s scope. Continuous evaluation will be essential to adapt strategies in response to evolving healthcare dynamics and patient needs.
Dapagliflozin emerges as a pivotal addition to HFrEF management in Brazil, balancing enhanced patient care with economic prudence. Healthcare providers and stakeholders should consider integrating this therapy to foster better health outcomes and optimize resource utilization effectively.

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