19_3_2
Reduced drug costs from switching hemodialysis patients from epoetin alfa in multidose vials to pre-filled syringes
By Lori D.Wazny, PharmD, Colette B. Raymond, PharmD, MSc, Michelle K. Do, BSc Pharm, and Dan E. Skwarchuk, CGA
Abstract
Objective: We sought to evaluate epoetin alfa drug costs in hemodialysis (HD) patients after a province-wide switch from multidose vials (MDV) to prefilled syringes (PFS).
Methods: A retrospective study of epoetin alfa drug costs and estimated doses based on these costs during a six-month period of MDV usage (2007) were compared to a PFS usage period (2008).
Data were collected from quarterly counts of HD patients receiving epoetin alfa in the Manitoba Renal Program (MRP) and monthly inventory billing records.
Results: 756 patients received epoetin alfa MDV were compared to 799 patients receiving epoetin alfa PFS. Average weekly dose calculated from drug costs was 13,282 units (MDV) versus 11,689 units (PFS). Average weekly costs were $195.71 (MDV) versus $183.23 (PFS). This translated to an estimated $12.48 per patient per week in savings ($518,519 annual savings across the Manitoba Renal Program).
Conclusion: The switch from epoetin alfa MDV to epoetin alfa PFS realized cost savings, likely as a result of reduced drug wastage.
Key words: epoetin alfa, multi-dose vials, pre-filled syringes, hemodialysis, cost-savings, drug wastage
Author Affiliation(s):
Lori D.Wazny, PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist, Manitoba Renal Program.
Colette B. Raymond, PharmD, MSc, Clinical Pharmacist, Manitoba Renal Program.
Michelle K. Do, BSc Pharm, at time of writing, pharmacy student, Manitoba Renal Program.
Dan E. Skwarchuk, CGA, Executive Director, Health Services Integration,Winnipeg Regional Health Authority – at time of writing, Administrative Program Director, Manitoba Renal Program.
This work was conducted by the Manitoba Renal Program in Winnipeg, Manitoba.