title: A consortium for purchase of blood products directed by physicians.
abstract: Clotting-factor therapy is a costly part of comprehensive hemophilia treatment. Physicians treating patients with hemophilia in New York formed a consortium for the purchasing and regional distribution of clotting-factor concentrates. Concentrates are centrally purchased based on a bidding formula aimed at obtaining the lowest price for quality product while guaranteeing all suppliers continued involvement in a large market area. The consortium has successfully maintained, and, in instances, lowered prices each year. Estimated regional savings this year are more than $750,000 for an anticipated purchase of approximately 60,00,000 units of clotting-factors VIII and IX. Central distribution has additionally lowered costs to participating hospitals. The consortium is able to provide patients and third-party payers with some of the lowest prices for clotting-factor concentrates in the United States. A physician-directed regional approach to purchasing costly medical products might be applied to other areas of clinical medicine.
authors: Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York.
authors: L M
authors: LM
authors: Aledort
authors: R A
authors: RA
authors: Lipton
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Hilgartner
mesh_terms: D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D003363:Cost Control / Q000379:methods; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000628:therapy; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D006755:Hospital Shared Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D009518:New York; D011682:Purchasing, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*
chemical_list: D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors