Karla D. García-Núñez, Department and Pharmacy, Centro Médico Nacional 20 de Noviembre, ISSSTE, Mexico City, Mexico
Eduardo S. Sarmiento-Sánchez, Department and Pharmacy, Centro Médico Nacional 20 de Noviembre, ISSSTE, Mexico City, Mexico
Francisco Tapia, Medical Oncology Service, Centro Médico Nacional 20 de Noviembre, ISSSTE, Mexico City, Mexico
Sunev Venus, Medical Oncology Service. Centro Médico Nacional 20 de Noviembre, ISSSTE, Mexico City, Mexico
Guadalupe Cervantes-Sánchez, Departamento de Oncología Médica, Centro Médico Nacional 20 de Noviembre, ISSSTE, Ciudad de México, México
Eduardo Cárdenas-Cárdenas, Medical Oncology Service. Centro Médico Nacional 20 de Noviembre, ISSSTE, Mexico City, Mexico
Edgar Hernández-Maldonado, Medical Oncology Service, Centro Médico Nacional 20 de Noviembre, ISSSTE, Mexico City, Mexico
Background: Rising cancer rates and expensive drugs have inflated treatment costs. Medication wastage constitutes 5% of drug expenditure. Effective cost containment strategies are essential. Objective: To implement and assess a cost-cutting strategy for oncology drugs. Methods: Doses and quantities of oncology drugs were analyzed from January to June of 2022, calculating the total usage and costs by comparing with a decentralized system to estimate the economic impact. Results: Sharing vials achieved a savings of $9,000,705.64MNX. Centralized preparation totaled $52,775,243.24MNX, with a 14% reduction in expenses. Discussion: This pioneering study in Mexico aligns with similar reductions in other countries, underscoring the importance of applying cost containment strategies in developing nations. Conclusion: Implementing a centralized preparation unit and vial sharing offer economic benefits, with further research needed to optimize their effectiveness.
Keywords: Pharmacoeconomics. Cost savings. Centralized preparation unit. Vial sharing. Oncology medications.
