Multidimensional evaluation of the potential impact of faricimab availability on healthcare system accessibility for retinal disease treatment in Poland.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of introducing faricimab into a publicly funded drug programme for retinal diseases, focusing particularly on reducing treatment frequency and optimising resources. Faricimab, a bispecific antibody targeting angiopoietin-2 and VEGF-A, offers a dual mechanism for managing nAMD and DME, both leading causes of vision loss. METHODS: The analysis included forecasting patient treatment trends, estimating the potential market share of faricimab, and simulating drug administration frequencies. A Monte Carlo simulation was conducted to model the impact of faricimab on reducing injection frequency. Scenarios with variable patient numbers and administration rates were explored, covering the years 2025, 2030, and 2035, to assess potential efficiencies in healthcare resources use and the capacity to treat additional patients. RESULTS: Results indicated that faricimab could reduce injection frequency by approximately 15%, freeing up resources within the healthcare system. Under the primary scenario, faricimab introduction could enable an additional 2,115 patients to be treated in 2025, rising to 7,662 by 2035 without additional resources. In the minimum scenario, the capacity increased by 4,415 patients by 2035, while the maximum scenario saw an increase of 12,003 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of faricimab is expected to improve access to ophthalmic treatments, especially within the drug programme for retinal diseases, by decreasing injection frequency and enhancing resource efficiency. Given Poland’s ageing population and the rising prevalence of nAMD and DME, faricimab adoption could alleviate pressures on healthcare infrastructure, ultimately supporting better patient outcomes and overcoming current limitations in access to ophthalmic services.