Akazawa M, Igarashi A, Ebata N, et al. - The cost-effectiveness of pregabalin vs other analgesics [non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, weak opioids, antidepressants, and antiepileptic drugs] was assessed among patients with chronic cervical pain with neuropathic components (radiating pain to the upper limb) during routine clinical practice in Japan. From a previous observational study, data were derived (pregabalin-containing treatments, n = 138; other analgesics alone (usual care), n = 211). Researchers constructed a Markov cohort simulation model to measure costs and effectiveness (in terms of quality-adjusted life-years, QALYs) of each treatment over a 12-month time horizon. From the payer’s perspective, higher costs were accrued with pregabalin-containing treatments (JPY 61,779 vs JPY 26,428) but also with more effectiveness (0.763 QALYs vs 0.727 QALYs) than the usual care, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of JPY 970,314 per QALY gained. From the societal perspective, which additionally incorporated productivity losses, the ICER lessened to JPY 458,307 per QALY gained. The probability of cost-effectiveness of pregabalin-containing treatments becomes 100% considering a hypothetical threshold value of JPY 5,000,000 for one additional QALY. Findings support the cost-efficacy of the use of pregabalin, alone or in addition to other analgesics, vs using other analgesics alone, for the treatment of chronic cervical pain with a neuropathic pain component in Japan.