Evaluación del impacto de la utilización de medicamentos en dosis unitarias en 2 centros de atención primaria / Assessment of the impact of the use single-dose medications in 2 primary care centres

Objetivo: Evaluar el impacto económico de la utilización de medicamentos envasados en dosis unitaria (DU) independiente (Onedose®), en comparación con la prescripción de preparados en envase multidosis habitual. Diseño del estudio: Se ha realizado un análisis de minimización de costes desde la perspectiva del centro prescriptor. El diseño del estudio es observacional retrospectivo e incluye todas las prescripciones de los 23 productos analizados realizadas entre enero y abril de 2012.EmplazamientoEl estudio se ha realizado en 2 centros de atención primaria de la provincia de Barcelona. El primero urbano con 24.500 personas de cobertura y el segundo semiurbano que cubre a 10.000 personas. Mediciones principales: Para cada producto analizado se midió en el periodo de estudio y se extrapoló anualmente, en función de los resultados de los escenarios de sustitución definidos, el ahorro total en euros, ahorro derivado de precio y ahorro derivado de las dosis no prescritas. Resultados: El ahorro que en los centros analizados supondría haber utilizado Onedose® en vez de las presentaciones prescritas se sitúa en el período analizado sobre los 45.000 euros (24%) y anualmente en 133.000 euros. Se evitarían en el período estudiado unas 212.000 unidades galénicas (14%) de los medicamentos analizados y anualmente 669.000. Conclusiones: En los centros analizados la utilización de este tipo de medicamentos puede suponer reducción del gasto vinculado a la prescripción sin un incremento de costes de dispensación y podría reducir los stocks domiciliarios de aquellos medicamentos que objetivamente no es conveniente que sean aplicados sin un diagnóstico previo (AU)

Objective: To evaluate the economical impact of using medications packaged in a single dose non-reusable container (Onedose®), compared to prescribing preparations in the usual multidose containers. Design: We performed a cost-minimization analysis from a prescribing center’s perspective. The observational study design is retrospective and analyzes 23 products in prescriptions made between January and April 2012. Setting: Two Spanish Primary Care Centers located in the province of Barcelona. The first covered an urban area with a population of 24.500 people, and the second a semi-urban area with 10.000 people. Primary outcome measures: Each examined product was measured between January and April 2012 and extrapolated annually, based on the defined substitution scenarios results of total Euro savings in non-prescribed doses and price differences. Results: The Savings related to the substitution of the prescribed packaging presentations with Onedose® were 45.000 Euros (24%) in the months of analysis and 133.000 Euros annually, avoiding the use of 212.000 doses (14%) in the period analyzed and 669.000 doses annually. Conclusions: The use of single dose non-reusable container packaging (Onedose®) in the analyzed health centers reduced prescription-related expenses without increasing dispensing costs, thus reducing the household stock of those medicines which are not objectively suitable to be used without a previous diagnosis (AU)

[Assessment of the impact of the use single-dose medications in 2 primary care centres]. / Evaluación del impacto de la utilización de medicamentos en dosis unitarias en 2 centros de atención primaria.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the economical impact of using medications packaged in a single dose non-reusable container (Onedose(®)), compared to prescribing preparations in the usual multidose containers. DESIGN: We performed a cost-minimization analysis from a prescribing center's perspective. The observational study design is retrospective and analyzes 23 products in prescriptions made between January and April 2012. SETTING: Two Spanish Primary Care Centers located in the province of Barcelona. The first covered an urban area with a population of 24.500 people, and the second a semi-urban area with 10.000 people. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Each examined product was measured between January and April 2012 and extrapolated annually, based on the defined substitution scenarios results of total Euro savings in non-prescribed doses and price differences. RESULTS: The Savings related to the substitution of the prescribed packaging presentations with Onedose(®) were 45.000 Euros (24%) in the months of analysis and 133.000 Euros annually, avoiding the use of 212.000 doses (14%) in the period analyzed and 669.000 doses annually. CONCLUSIONS: The use of single dose non-reusable container packaging (Onedose(®)) in the analyzed health centers reduced prescription-related expenses without increasing dispensing costs, thus reducing the household stock of those medicines which are not objectively suitable to be used without a previous diagnosis.