The impact of depression in the Brazilian private healthcare system: patient journey and economic burden study associating claim database and expert's opinion approach / O impacto da depressão no sistema de saúde privado brasileiro: estudo da jornada do paciente e da carga econômica associando banco de dados de sinistros e abordagem de opinião de especialistas

Objective: The study aimed to describe the profile and economic burden of patients with depression from the perspective of the Brazilian Private Healthcare System (PHS). Methods: A two-step methodological quantitative-qualitative research design was performed: retrospective descriptive analysis of the Orizon database of patients with at least one claim of depression (F33, F38, or F39) in PHS (2013-2019) and experienced physicians perspective from an expert meeting. Results: 1,802 patients fulfilling the eligibility criteria counted BRL 74,978 million across the 4-year period. Over this period, nearly 60% of patients had a medical appointment (6.6 appointments per patient, on average), 61% had a psychologist, 9.8% had a psychiatrist appointment, and an average of 115.2 exams and 8.7 emergency visits per patient were performed. According to the experts, the economic impact of depression is more significant when considering the indirect costs related to productivity loss and impairment in occupational and interpersonal functioning. Conclusion: Identifying and diagnosing patients with depression and their real burden is challenging; even with significant costs identified in the claim database analyses in the Brazilian PHS, the real impact must be higher if indirect costs are considered. The depressive disorder should be prioritized in the Brazilian PHS to establish more adequate health policies.

Objetivo: O estudo teve como objetivo descrever o perfil e a carga econômica de pacientes com depressão na perspectiva do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Métodos: Foi realizado um projeto de pesquisa quantitativo-qualitativo metodológico em duas etapas: análise descritiva retrospectiva do banco de dados Orizon de pacientes com pelo menos uma alegação de depressão (F33, F38 ou F39) no PHS (2013- 2019) e perspectiva de médicos experientes de uma reunião de especialistas. Resultados: 1.802 pacientes que preencheram os critérios de elegibilidade totalizaram R$ 74,978 milhões no período de 4 anos. Nesse período, cerca de 60% dos pacientes tiveram consulta médica (6,6 consultas por paciente, em média), 61% tiveram psicólogo, 9,8% consulta com psiquiatra e foram realizados em média 115,2 exames e 8,7 atendimentos de emergência por paciente . Segundo os especialistas, o impacto econômico da depressão é mais significativo quando considerados os custos indiretos relacionados à perda de produtividade e prejuízo no funcionamento ocupacional e interpessoal. Conclusão: Identificar e diagnosticar pacientes com depressão e sua real carga é desafiador; mesmo com custos significativos identificados nas análises da base de sinistros do SUS brasileiro, o impacto real deve ser maior se considerados os custos indiretos. O transtorno depressivo deve ser priorizado na APS brasileira para o estabelecimento de políticas de saúde mais adequadas.

COVID-19 and Public Health Spending; Effects on the Economic Sustainability of the Spanish Private Healthcare System.

This research analyzes the influence of COVID-19 and public health spending policies on the economic sustainability of Spanish private hospitals. Moreover, it explores the relationship between public health spending policies and the spread of COVID-19 in Spain. Private health care is an understudied sector, yet it is fundamental to the health of citizens. Moreover, the economic causes linked to the spread of the pandemic have not yet been clearly established. Therefore, this work covers a gap in the literature. Private hospital profitability was analyzed by applying ordinary least squares and panel data regressions on financial and macroeconomic data for the period 2017-2020. The spread of COVID-19 was examined by means of cluster and component analysis. The results show that the COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected the economic sustainability of Spanish private hospitals, which was also influenced by public health spending. In turn, the spread of the pandemic was mainly related to population density, but was also influenced by public health spending and the gross domestic product of the region. Therefore, policymakers must consider that it is essential to make adequate investments in the healthcare system to cope with pandemics such as COVID-19. In addition, managers can see how corporate social responsibility is a valuable strategy for maintaining hospital profitability.

Discrepancies Between the Cost of Advanced Lung Cancer Treatment and How Much Is Reimbursed by the Brazilian Public Healthcare System.

OBJECTIVE: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and most patients are diagnosed of advanced disease. Molecular-targeted therapy and immunotherapy increase survival among these patients. In this study, we compared the cost of the best treatments available with the amount reimbursed by the Brazilian public healthcare system (Sistema Único de Saúde [SUS]) to treat advanced lung cancer. METHODS: The authors divided lung cancer into 10 subtypes according to histology and molecular profile. A panel of experts defined the best treatment sequencing for each subtype. The authors considered only drug costs retrieved from the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency official data. The progression-free survival of each regimen was considered as treatment duration. The cost estimate included all postprogression therapies weighted by each subtype proportional frequency. The amount reimbursed by SUS was the sum of the monthly budget accumulated during the estimated treatment duration and then for the proportional frequency of each subtype. RESULTS: The budget reimbursed by SUS for treating each advanced lung cancer case in Brazil is R$8000.00 in average whereas the cost estimate for the best treatment available is R$729 454.00 per case, which represents a difference of 9118%. The budget impact to ensure the reimbursement needed to acquire the best treatments available was estimated in near R$13 billion annually. CONCLUSIONS: The cost estimate of the best treatment available for advanced lung cancer in Brazil is much higher than the amount reimbursed by SUS. This budgetary gap leads to a major access barrier that may compromise the survival outcomes of SUS users.

The role of general practitioners in managing the COVID-19 pandemic in a private healthcare system.

BACKGROUND: The canton of Vaud's public health authorities, in Switzerland, invited general practitioners (GPs) to participate in managing suspected COVID-19 patients and continue caring for their non-COVID-19 patients. However, this course of action was not mandatory. The present study's objective was to describe and understand how involved GPs were in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic's first wave. METHODS: This mixed-methods study combined a retrospective quantitative survey and a qualitative explanatory investigation. All of the canton's GPs were invited to participate in the quantitative survey via an online questionnaire including sections on: specific organization regarding COVID-19 activities and suspected COVID-19 patients, activities relating to non-COVID-19 patients, consequences on the practice's professional staff, and opinions about the public health authorities' pandemic crisis management. The qualitative investigation involved interviews with 10 volunteer GPs. RESULTS: The participation rate was 41%. One third of GPs chose not to reorganize their practice for the specific management of suspected COVID-19 patients. The number of weekly activities and interventions decreased by over 50% at 44% of practices, mostly due to a lack of patients. Even in an extraordinary crisis, GPs maintained their choice of whether to become involved, as their private and independent status allowed them to do. However, those who chose to be involved felt frustrated that the public health authorities did not recognize them as major health providers in the management of the pandemic. CONCLUSION: This study illustrated the complexity and limitations of a primary care system based completely on private healthcare providers.

Changes in the activity levels and financing sources of Israel's private for-profit hospitals in the wake of reforms to the public-private divide.

BACKGROUND: The Israeli National Health Insurance Law provides permanent residents with a basket of healthcare services through non-profit public health insurance plans, independently of the individual's ability to pay. Since 2015, several reforms and programs have been initiated that were aimed at reinforcing public healthcare and redressing negative aspects of the health system, and specifically the constant rise in private health expenditure. These include the "From Reimbursement-to-Networks Arrangement", the "Cooling-off Period" program and the program to shorten waiting times. The objectives of this study were to identify, describe, and analyze changes in private hospitals in 1) the volume of publicly and privately funded elective surgical procedures; and 2) private health expenditure on surgical procedures. METHODS: Data on the volume and funding of surgical procedures during 2013-2018 were obtained from Assuta Medical Center, Hertzelia Medical Center, the Israeli Ministry of Health and the Central Bureau of Statistics. The changes in the volume and financing sources of surgical activities in private hospitals, in the wake of the reforms were analyzed using aggregate descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Between 2013 and 2018 the volume of surgical activities in private for-profit hospitals increased by 7%. Between 2013 and 2017, the distribution of financing sources of surgical procedures in private hospitals remained stable, with most surgical procedures (75-77%) financed by the voluntary health insurance programs of the health plans (HP-VHI). In 2018, following the regulatory reforms, a significant change in the distribution of financing sources was observed: there was a sharp decline in the volume of HP-VHI-funded surgical procedures to 26%. Concurrently, the share of publicly-funded surgical procedures performed in private hospitals increased to 56% in 2018.,. During the study period, private spending on elective surgical procedures in private hospitals declined by 53% while public funding for them increased by 51%. CONCLUSIONS AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS: In the wake of the reforms, there was a substantial shift from private to public financing of elective surgical activity in private hospitals. Private for-profit hospitals have become important providers of publicly-funded procedures. It is likely that the reforms affected the public-private mix in the financing of elective surgical procedures in those hospitals, but due to the absence of a control group, causality cannot be proven. It is also unclear whether waiting times were shortened. Health reforms must be accompanied by a clear and comprehensive set of indicators for measuring their success.

Drug Utilization and Drug Pricing in the Private Primary Healthcare System in Malaysia: An Employer Price Control Mechanism.

Uncontrolled drug pricing in the private healthcare system in Malaysia leads to high drug prices; however, its impact on employee drug utilization and employer reimbursement coverage is unclear. This study examined patterns of drug pricing and drug utilization among employees covered by employer medical insurance. A drug price control mechanism was also devised for the employer to ensure fair benefits to all parties without compromising the quality of patient care. This retrospective study was conducted among International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) community members who sought outpatient treatment at the IIUM panel of health clinics serviced by general practitioners from January 2016 to September 2019. Prescription data (drug type, dose, quantity, duration, price, and manufacturer), patient characteristics (age, sex, and diagnosis) and total charges were extracted from the claims database of PMCare, the insurance company managing IIUM medical claims. Patterns of commonly prescribed drugs, drug pricing, profit margins, and total charges per clinic visit were evaluated. Descriptive statistics were used, and all analyses were performed using Stata v15.1. There were a total of 161,146 prescriptions for 10,150 patients in the IIUM community during the study period (48.85% women, mean ± standard deviation; age: 26.33 ± 17.63 years). The most commonly prescribed drug was paracetamol (25.3%), followed by chlorpheniramine (9.46%), cetirizine (7.3%), diphenhydramine (6.13%), loratadine (4.57%), and diclofenac (4.36%). Generic paracetamol (500 mg), which serves as a prime example for details on drug pricing, is commonly charged between Ringgit Malaysia (RM) 5 and 10 for 10 tablets with a profit between 2,400 and 4,900% according to the average cost price of RM 0.20 per 10 tablets. Most patients were charged within the approved coverage limit of RM 45 per clinic visit, with only 2.41% of patients being charged with costs that exceeded this limit. Uncontrolled drug pricing in the private healthcare system in Malaysia indicates that drug prices differ greatly across private healthcare providers most of the prices were charged with high profit margins. Employers may consider a multilayer capping system to prevent inappropriate drug pricing, which will inevitably benefit patients clinically and economically and provide greater patient access to better drug treatment.

Modelo de impacto orçamentário da aplicação do single embryo transfer consecutivo comparado com o double embryo transfer em tratamentos de fertilização in vitro no Sistema de Saúde Suplementar / Budget impact model of the use of consecutive single embryo transfers compared to double embryo transfer in in vitro fertilization procedures in the Brazilian Private Healthcare System

Objetivo: Estimar o impacto orçamentário em cinco anos da incorporação da técnica de SET (single embryo transfer) sequencial no Sistema de Saúde Suplementar brasileiro (SSSB). Métodos: Foram consideradas taxas de nascidos vivos de 41% e de gemelaridade de 2% e 30% para SET e DET (double transfer embryo), respectivamente. Os custos dos procedimentos foram, em sua maioria, obtidos das tabelas SIMPRO, CBHPM e CMED. Para a estimativa da população elegível, foram consideradas mulheres de 20 a 35 anos registradas no Datasus e taxas de infertilidade e de uso de fertilização in vitro (FIV) da literatura. Estimou-se em 20% e 80% o uso de SET sequencial e DET, respectivamente, com incorporação da primeira em 45%, 50%, 55%, 65% e 75% dos casos nos cinco anos subsequentes. Resultados: Considerando cenários com reembolso de um a dois ciclos de SET sequencial e inclusão ou não do valor dos medicamentos, o impacto orçamentário em cinco anos seria entre R$ 10.231.387 e R$ 16.123.874 em operadoras de grande porte, R$ 1.054.174 e R$ 1.661.297 em operadoras de médio porte e R$ 173.700 e R$ 273.738 em operadoras de pequeno porte. Em cenário com aumento progressivo do uso de SET sequencial sem alteração no modelo de reembolso atual, foi estimada economia de R$ 59.319.276 para o SSSB em cinco anos. Conclusões: O uso de SET sequencial (vs. DET) em procedimentos de FIV é potencialmente menos oneroso para o SSSB referente a custos de pré-natal, parto e complicações. Em cenário de incorporação progressiva, o custo incremental foi estimado em R$ 8-13 mil/paciente.

Objective: To estimate the five-year budget impact of incorporating the sequential single embryo transfer (SET) technique into the Brazilian Supplementary Healthcare System (BSHS). Methods: Live birth rates of 41% and multiple pregnancy rates of 2% and 30% were considered for SET and DET (double transfer embryo), respectively. The costs of the procedures were mostly obtained from e SIMPRO, CBHPM and CMED tables. To estimate the eligible population, we considered women aged 20-35 years registered in DATASUS, and infertility and in vitro fertilization (IVF) rates from the literature. The use of sequential SET and DET was estimated as 20% and 80%, respectively, with incorporation of the first in 45%, 50%, 55%, 65% and 75% of cases in the subsequent five years. Results: Considering scenarios with reimbursement of 1 to 2 cycles of sequential SET and inclusion or not of the drugs in the reimbursement, the budget impact in five years would be between BRL 10,231,387-16,123,874 in large operators, BRL 1,054,174-1,661,297 in midsize operators and BRL 173,700-273,738 in small operators. In a scenario of progressive increase of the use of sequential SET with no change in the current reimbursement model, we estimated a saving of BRL 59,319,276 for the BSHS in five years. Conclusions: The use of sequential SET (vs. DET) in IVF procedures is potentially less costly for BSHS for prenatal, child-birth and complication costs. In the scenario of progressive incorporation and full reimbursement of the procedure, the incremental cost was estimated at BRL 8-13 thousands/patient.

Impacto orçamentário de natalizumabe para o tratamento em primeira linha da esclerose múltipla remitente-recorrente altamente ativa sob a perspectiva do sistema de saúde privado brasileiro / Budget impact analysis of the adoption of natalizumab as first-line treatment of highly active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis from a Brazilian private payer perspective

Objetivos: Os objetivos deste estudo são calcular o custo de um surto de esclerose múltipla sob a perspectiva de uma operadora de saúde privada e o impacto orçamentário da adoção de natalizumabe em primeira linha para esclerose múltipla remitente-recorrente altamente ativa (EMRRAA). Métodos: Para o cálculo do custo do surto, duas abordagens foram adotadas: para surtos que não levam a hospitalizações, foi aplicada uma pesquisa a 33 médicos neurologistas para identificação do consumo de recursos. Microcusteio foi realizado com base em bases de dados públicas. Para o cálculo do custo de surtos que levam a hospitalizações, foi utilizada uma base de contas médicas. Para o cálculo do impacto orçamentário, foi construído um modelo baseado em prevalência. Foram assumidos os seguintes custos: custo de aquisição de natalizumabe, custo de infusão de natalizumabe e custo de surtos. Taxa de ocorrência de surtos para natalizumabe e para seus comparadores, disponível apenas no sistema público, foi obtida em estudos clínicos e metanálises. O caso-base foi realizado considerando-se uma operadora que atende 100 mil vidas na região Sudeste. Análise de sensibilidade foi realizada. Resultados: O custo calculado de um surto foi de R$ 14.157,21. O impacto orçamentário calculado para adoção de natalizumabe para EMRRAA foi de R$ 0,64 por beneficiário por ano, ou 0,02% das despesas assistenciais de uma operadora de saúde suplementar, ou 0,02% de suas receitas de contraprestações. A análise de sensibilidade confirma que o impacto não chega a 1 real por beneficiário por ano e atinge, no máximo, 0,03% das despesas assistenciais. Conclusão: Dados os altos benefícios clínicos de natalizumabe, o impacto orçamentário de sua adoção para primeira linha de EMRRAA é considerado baixo. O impacto pode estar superestimado, visto que não foram considerados custos de progressão da doença.

Objetivos: The goals of this study are to evaluate the cost of a multiple sclerosis relapse and the budget impact of adopting natalizumab as first-line therapy for HARRMS, both from a private payer perspective. Methods: For calculating the cost of a relapse, two approaches were adopted: for relapses not resulting in hospitalizations, a research with 33 physicians was made to obtain resource utilization data. Microcosting was performed using public data sources. For calculating costs of relapses leading to hospitalizations, we analyzed a claims database. To calculate the budget impact of adopting natalizumab as per its label indication, we built a prevalence-based model. The following costs were included: drug acquisition, drug infusion and relapses costs. The relapses rates for natalizumab and its comparators present in the public system were calculated based on clinical trials and meta-analysis. The base case was calculated assuming a hypothetical payer covering one hundred lives in the southeastern region of Brazil. Sensitivity analysis was performed. Results: The calculated relapse cost was R$ 14,157.21. The calculated budget impact for adopting natalizumab for HARRMS was R$ 0.64 per person per year, or 0.02% of the payer's healthcare expenditures, or 0.02% of its revenue. The sensibility analysis confirmed that the budget impact does not reach one real per person per year and does not exceed 0.03% of healthcare expenses. Conclusion: Given the high clinical benefits of adopting Tysabri, its budget impact can be considered low. The results might be overestimated, since disability progression costs were not accounted in the calculations

Modelo de impacto orçamentário do rituximabe subcutâneo comparado ao intravenoso no tratamento do linfoma não Hodgkin difuso de grandes células B, CD-20 positivo, no sistema de saúde suplementar brasileiro / Budget impact model of subcutaneous compared with intravenous rituximab in the treatment of diffuse large B-cell and follicular CD-20+ non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients in the Brazilian private healthcare system

Objetivo: Estimar o impacto orçamentário da introdução de rituximabe subcutâneo, comparado ao intravenoso, no sistema de saúde suplementar brasileiro, para o tratamento de linfoma não Hodgkin (LNH) difuso de grandes células B CD-20 positivo. Métodos: As perspectivas foram o sistema de saúde suplementar e operadoras de saúde de grande, médio e pequeno portes. Dados da Agência Nacional de Saúde Suplementar (ANS) foram utilizados para obter o número médio de pacientes por porte das operadoras e cruzados com dados epidemiológicos de LNH para estimar a população elegível. Uma pesquisa com 28 operadoras mapeou taxas, preços e tabelas de referência usadas para o reembolso de medicamentos, materiais e procedimentos. Uma equipe multidisciplinar estimou o uso de recursos. Os custos médicos diretos foram incluídos e os preços foram obtidos de fontes públicas. O horizonte temporal foi de cinco anos e considerou-se a incorporação progressiva de rituximabe subcutâneo com 20% no primeiro ano até atingir 100%. Resultados: Em cinco anos, 3.846 pacientes com LNH difuso foram estimados para o sistema de saúde suplementar, 35 para uma operadora de grande porte, 5 para uma de médio porte e 5 para uma de pequeno porte. Demonstrou-se que a incorporação de rituximabe subcutâneo pode economizar até R$ 15,8 milhões para todo o sistema, R$ 144,3 mil para uma operadora de grande porte e R$ 20,4 mil tanto para uma operadora de médio quanto para uma de pequeno porte. Conclusão: A incorporação de rituximabe subcutâneo no sistema de saúde suplementar brasileiro pode economizar até R$ 15,8 milhões no tratamento de LNH.

Objective: To estimate the budgetary impact of the introduction of subcutaneous compared with intravenous rituximab in the Brazilian private healthcare system to treat diffuse large B-cell CD-20+ non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients. Methods: Perspectives were the private healthcare system (PHS), a big, medium and small HMO. We used data from National Regulatory Agency for Private Health Insurance and Plans to obtain the mean number of patients per HMO size. Incidence and survival data of diffuse large B-cell CD-20+ NHL were applied to reach the eligible population. A survey with 28 HMOs mapped fees, pricing sources and reference tables used for reimbursement. A multidisciplinary team estimated the resource use. Direct medical costs were included; drugs and material prices were obtained from published sources. Time horizon was 5 years and market share considered the uptake of subcutaneous rituximab starting with 20% in the first year, increasing to 100%. Results: In 5 years, 3,846 diffuse NHL patients were estimated for the PHS, 35 for big HMO, 5 for medium HMO, and 5 for small HMO. Results showed that the progressive incorporation of subcutaneous rituximab can save up to 15.8 million BRL, 144.3 thousand BRL, and 20.4 thousand BRL in the PHS, a big HMO, and in medium/small HMOs, respectively. Differences among fees and material costs of subcutaneous and intravenous administration were the main drivers of results. Conclusion: Compared with the intravenous administration, subcutaneous rituximab can save up to 15.8 million BRL costs in the NHL treatment in the Brazilian PHS.

Modelo de impacto orçamentario do trastuzumabe subcutâneo comparado com o intravenoso no tratamento de câncer de mama HER-2 positivo no Sistema de Saúde Suplementar brasileiro / Budget impact model of subcutaneous compared with intravenous trastuzumab in the treatment of HER-2 positive breast cancer in the Brazilian Private Healthcare System

OBJETIVO: Estimar o impacto orçamentário do trastuzumabe subcutâneo, comparado com o in-travenoso, no Sistema de Saúde Suplementar (SSS) para o tratamento do câncer de mama inicial e metastático HER-2 positivo. MÉTODOS: Foi realizada uma análise de impacto orçamentário na perspectiva do SSS. Os tratamentos de câncer de mama inicial foram trastuzumabe em monoterapia e trastuzumabe com paclitaxel ou docetaxel. No câncer de mama metastático, considerou-se trastu-zumabe associado com docetaxel ou paclitaxel na primeira linha e em monoterapia na segunda linha. Para ambos, comparou-se a substituição do trastuzumabe intravenoso pelo subcutâneo. Uma pesquisa com 28 operadoras mapeou taxas, preços e tabelas de referência usadas para o reembolso de medicamentos, materiais e procedimentos. Uma equipe multidisciplinar estimou o uso de recur-sos. Custos médicos diretos foram incluídos e os preços foram obtidos de fontes públicas. O horizon-te temporal foi cinco anos e considerou-se a incorporação progressiva de trastuzumabe subcutâneo com 20% no primeiro ano até atingir 100%. RESULTADOS: Estimaram-se 31.589 pacientes com câncer de mama no SSS em cinco anos. O uso progressivo de trastuzumabe subcutâneo em comparação com o intravenoso levou a uma economia de 962,7 mBRL, 14,5 mBRL, 1,5 mBRL e 0,2 mBRL no SSS, para operadoras de saúde de grande, médio e pequeno porte, respectivamente. Materiais e procedimentos de suporte com taxas médicas foram os parâmetros mais sensíveis. CONCLUSÃO: O trastuzumabe subcutâneo em comparação com o intravenoso pode levar a uma economia de até 962,7 mBRL no tratamento do câncer de mama no SSS.

Objective: To estimate the budgetary impact of subcutaneous trastuzumab, compared with intravenous trastuzumab, in the Brazilian Private Healthcare System (PHS), to treat early and metastatic HER-2 positive breast cancer. Methods: Budgetary impact analysis was performed in PHS perspective. For early breast cancer, treatment options were trastuzumab monotherapy, and trastuzumab plus paclitaxel or docetaxel, after adjuvant chemotherapy. For metastatic breast cancer, trastuzumab was combined with docetaxel or paclitaxel in the first line, and it was given in monotherapy in the second line. For both, a comparison of switching from intravenous to subcutaneous therapy was made. A survey was performed with 28 health maintenance organizations to map fees and sources used for reimbursement of drugs, materials and procedures. Direct medical costs were included. Time horizon was 5 years and market share of subcutaneous trastuzumab vary from 20% to 100%. Results were presented according to size of health maintenance organizations and a deterministic sensitivity analysis was conducted to analyze model robustness. Results: In 5 years, 31,589 breast cancer patients were estimated for the PHS, 284 patients for big, 30 patients for medium, and 6 patients for small HMOs. The progressive uptake of subcutaneous trastuzumab, compared with in-travenous formulation, can save up to 962,7 mBRL, 14,5 mBRL, 1,5 mBRL and 0,2 mBRL, respectively. Materials and support procedures along with medical fees were the most sensitive parameters. Con-clusion: Compared with the intravenous administration, subcutaneous trastuzumab can save up to 962,7 mBRL costs in the breast cancer treatment in the Brazilian PHS

Análise econômica do tratamento de tromboembolismo venoso com rivaroxabana em comparação com enoxaparina seguida de varfarina sob a perspectiva do Sistema de Saúde Suplementar brasileiro / Economic analysis of the treatment of venous thromboembolism with rivaroxaban in comparison with enoxaparin plus warfarin under the perspective of the Brazilian Private Healthcare System

Objetivo: O tromboembolismo venoso (TEV) está associado a um grande impacto em saúde. A rivaroxabana é uma das opções recomendadas para o tratamento de TEV, segundo diretrizes internacionais (American College of Chest Physicians ­ ACCP 2016) (Kearon et al., 2016). É um anticoagulante oral, inibidor direto do fator Xa, que possui a vantagem de não requerer monitoramento e ajuste de dose de acordo com parâmetros laboratoriais de coagulação. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar os custos diretos da rivaroxabana com a combinação de enoxaparina/varfarina e estimar o impacto orçamentário de sua introdução no Sistema de Saúde Suplementar brasileiro. Métodos: Realizaram-se análises de custo-minimização e impacto orçamentário comparando os tratamentos com rivaroxabana e enoxaparina/varfarina, em um horizonte temporal de um ano, sob a perspectiva do Sistema de Saúde Suplementar brasileiro. Foram considerados custos médicos diretos durante o período de internação hospitalar (medicamentos, hospitalização, acompanhamento ambulatorial e eventos adversos). A população de pacientes elegíveis foi estimada a partir de uma abordagem epidemiológica, considerando o sistema de saúde privado como um todo e para diferentes portes de operadoras de saúde. Resultados: Estimou-se que o tratamento de TEV com rivaroxabana pode gerar R$ 1.996,99 de economia comparado ao tratamento com enoxaparina/varfarina, principalmente devido à redução do tempo de hospitalização. O impacto orçamentário da introdução da rivaroxabana no Sistema de Saúde Suplementar apresentou economia de recursos potencial em todos os cenários analisados. A robustez do modelo foi testada por análises de sensibilidade determinísticas e a economia de recursos promovida pela rivaroxabana foi mantida em todas as variações. Conclusão: A rivaroxabana é uma alternativa para o tratamento de TEV que possui o potencial de gerar economia de recursos ao Sistema de Saúde Suplementar brasileiro.

Objective: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is associated with a significant healthcare burden. Rivaroxaban is an oral anticoagulant, direct factor Xa inhibitor, that has the advantage of not requiring routine coagulation monitoring and dose adjustment according to laboratory parameters of coagulation. The objective of this study is to compare the direct costs of rivaroxaban with the combination of enoxaparin/warfarin and estimate the budget impact of the reimbursement by the Brazilian Private Healthcare System. Methods: A cost-minimization and a budget impact analysis were performed comparing rivaroxaban versus enoxaparin/warfarin, in one-year time horizon and under the perspective of the Brazilian Private Healthcare System. Medical direct costs were considered for the hospitalization period (drugs, hospitalization, outpatient care and adverse events). Eligible patients were estimated through an epidemiological approach for the healthcare system and stratified by health management organization profile. Results: Estimated total cost of VTE treatment with rivaroxaban may cause a R$ 1.996,99 economy comparing to enoxaparin/warfarin, mainly due to fewer hospitalization days. The budget impact of the reimbursement of rivaroxaban in the Brazilian Private Healthcare System presented potential resource in all scenarios evaluated. Robustness of the model was tested by deterministic sensitivity analysis in which the resource saving promoted by rivaroxaban was maintained in all variations. Conclusion: Rivaroxaban is an alternative for the treatment of VTE that has potential to promote resource for the Brazilian Private Healthcare System.