What is it about?

Peripheral neuropathic pain (PNP) is a type of long-lasting pain that comes from damage to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by diabetes, surgery, infections like shingles, or certain cancer treatments. People with PNP often live with constant pain, require long-term treatment, and many do not get enough relief from standard oral medications. Qutenza® is a high concentration capsaicin patch applied to the skin that delivers medicine directly to the painful area, without affecting the whole body. It is approved for treating adults with PNP and can be used along with oral treatments. This analysis looked at whether Qutenza® offers good value for money when used together with oral medications in Scotland. This analysis suggests that Qutenza® is a valuable treatment for adults with PNP who still have pain despite oral medications. It could help improve care while using healthcare resources wisely.

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Why is it important?

The analyses found that Qutenza® provides good value for money compared with standard oral treatments alone, both for people with diabetic nerve pain and those with other types of peripheral neuropathic pain. This demonstrates reimbursement of Qutenza® is an efficient use of healthcare resources.

Perspectives

Cost-effectiveness evidence is an important part of implementing a treatment in routine clinical practice because it helps demonstrate not only that a treatment works, but also that it represents a good use of healthcare resources. For Qutenza, evidence on the value of repeated treatment has been limited until recently. This analysis helps fill that gap, providing additional support that implementing Qutenza in routine care can benefit patients while making efficient use of healthcare resources.

Rita Freitas
Grunenthal GmBH

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Cost-Effectiveness of a High-Concentration (179 mg) Capsaicin Patch for the Treatment of Patients with Peripheral Neuropathic Pain in Scotland, Pain and Therapy, August 2025, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1007/s40122-025-00769-9.
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