The Costs and Health Benefits of Expanded Access to MDMA-assisted Therapy for Chronic and Severe PTSD in the USA: A Modeling Study

Background and objective: Intensive psychotherapy assisted with 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA-AT) was shown in Phase 3 clinical trials to substantially reduce post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms compared to psychotherapy with placebo. This study estimates potential costs, health benefits, and net savings of expanding access to MDMA-AT to eligible US patients with chronic and severe PTSD.

Methods

Using a decision-analytic model, we compared the costs, deaths averted, and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained of three, 10-year MDMA-AT coverage targets (25%, 50%, and 75%) compared to providing a standard of care to the same number of eligible patients with chronic and severe PTSD. We used a payer perspective and discounted costs (in US$) and QALYs to 2020. We conducted one-way, scenario, and probabilistic sensitivity analyses and calculated the net monetary value of MDMA-AT using a cost-effectiveness threshold of $100,000 per QALY gained.

Results

Expanding access to MDMA-AT to 25-75% of eligible patients is projected to avert 43,618-106,932 deaths and gain 3.3-8.2 million QALYs. All three treatment targets are dominant or cost-saving compared to the standard of care. Our sensitivity analyses found that accounting for parameter uncertainty and changes in various assumptions did not alter the main finding-MDMA-AT is dominant compared to standard of care.

Conclusion

Expanding access to MDMA-AT to patients with chronic and severe PTSD will provide substantial health and financial benefits. The precise magnitude is uncertain and will depend on the number of eligible patients and other inputs.