High Priced Medicines: Economic Impact of Two Supply Models (Traditional vs “Dose Banding”)

Abstract

Purpose: High priced medicines (HPM) represent an increasing burden for health system financing. To reduce expenses related to HPM, certain strategies like limiting the funding to therapeutic protocols with the best benefit/risk ratio failed. One of the consequences of limiting funding is lawsuits litigation. This scenario forces health service providers and financiers to explore new options to optimize the investment. Among these solutions, dose standardization also called “dose banding” (DB) showed to be effective and efficient improving access to cancer treatment and diminishing expenses.

The objective of this study is to compare the costs associated to “dose banding” HPM versus with conventional dosage in a developing country such as Argentina.

Materials & Methods: A simulation retrospective study was carried out to analyze the costs associated to the 10 most HPM demanded. A comparison between conventional dosage and “dose banding” were done analyzing data from a compounding company (Lispharma ®). Period of the study: 01-01-2019 to 31-12- 2022.

Results: 93,529 doses were analyzed, 34.85% corresponded to the selected HPM provided by conventional method and destined to patients receiving medical care in 66 private institutions of Buenos Aires region. Comparative analysis demonstrated that dose-banding DB was associated with a saving rate of 15.8%.

Conclusion: Dose-banding is a valuable strategy to reduce costs and improve access to HPM.