Image courtesy of Terumo BCT
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued a guidance recommending a new device for managing sickle cell disease (SCD).
The device is the Spectra Optia Apheresis System for automated red blood cell (RBC) exchange in patients with SCD who need regular blood transfusions.
The Spectra Optia Apheresis System automatically replaces sickled RBCs with healthy RBCs.
The system is made up of 3 components: an apheresis machine, embedded software, and a single-use, disposable blood tubing set.
NICE said the Spectra Optia system is faster than manual RBC exchange, and patients need RBC exchange less often with this device. In addition, the system could provide considerable savings to the National Health Service (NHS) in England.
“The device could save the NHS in England an estimated £13 million each year—around £18,000 per patient—with the size of the saving depending on the patient’s condition and the equipment already owned by the NHS,” said Carole Longson, director of the NICE Centre for Health Technology Evaluation.
“We also recommend that specialists collaborate to collect and publish data on some outcomes of treatment with Spectra Optia to provide further clinical evidence. It would be particularly helpful to have long-term data on how automated and manual exchange affects the amount of iron in the body and the need to treat this complication.”
Treatment with the Spectra Optia system is intended to be iron-neutral, meaning that patients who are already iron-overloaded can have their condition managed effectively.
The Spectra Optia Apheresis System is manufactured by Terumo BCT.
Costs and savings
The list prices (excluding tax) for the components of the Spectra Optia Apheresis System are as follows:
- Spectra Optia device: £45,350
- RBC exchange software: £6700
- Spectra Optia exchange set: £1007 per 6
- Astotube with injection port: £218 per 50
- ACD-A anticoagulant (750 ml): £57 per 12
- Service charge: £4572 per year.
Bulk order discounts are available.
Based on current evidence and expert advice on the anticipated benefits of the technology when used in patients with iron overload, cost modelling shows that, in most cases, using Spectra Optia is cost-saving compared with manual RBC exchange or top-up transfusion.
The savings depend on the iron overload status of the patient and are more likely to be achieved if devices already owned by the NHS can be used to treat SCD.
The estimated cost saving for adopting Spectra Optia is £18,100 per patient per year, which has the potential to save the NHS £12.9 million each year.
