A comparison of the costs of manufacturer unit-dose and repackaged unit-dose in seven-day dispensing systems.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the costs associated with manufacturer unit-dose and repackaged unit-dose in seven-day unit-dose dispensing systems to guide purchasing decisions.


METHODS
Retrospective observational economic evaluation.


METHODS
Central Virginia long-term care pharmacy provider servicing 2,020 beds in 13 unit-dose facilities.


METHODS
Costs of manufacturer unit-dose and repackaged unit-dose for the 146 most frequently dispensed drugs.


RESULTS
Total costs over six months for manufacturer unit-dose were found to be $1,428,248. This was $14,726 less than repackaged unit-dose at $1,442,974. The major factor contributing to the difference was the cost of inventory destroyed. Sensitivity analyses indicated that the manufacturer unit-dose system was less expensive as long as the acquisition cost of unit-dose drugs was no more than 5.1% higher than that of drugs purchased in bulk bottles.


CONCLUSIONS
Manufacturer unit-dose was associated with a 1.0% cost-savings over repackaged unit-dose. Lower costs of inventory destroyed outweighed higher acquisition costs.
School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA.
Amy M
AM
Stephenson
Norman V
NV
Carroll
David A
DA
Holdford