title: Drug waste minimization as an effective strategy of cost-containment in oncology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sustainability of cancer care is a crucial issue for health care systems worldwide, even more during a time of economic recession. Low-cost measures are highly desirable to contain and reduce expenditures without impairing the quality of care. In this paper we aim to demonstrate the efficacy of drug waste minimization in reducing drug-related costs and its importance as a structural measure in health care management.
  
  
  METHODS
  We first recorded intravenous cancer drugs prescription and amount of drug waste at the Oncology Department of Udine, Italy. Than we developed and applied a protocol for drug waste minimization based on per-pathology/per-drug scheduling of chemotherapies and pre-planned rounding of dosages.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Before the protocol, drug wastage accounted for 8,3% of the Department annual drug expenditure. Over 70% of these costs were attributable to six drugs (cetuximab, docetaxel, gemcitabine, oxaliplatin, pemetrexed and trastuzumab) that we named 'hot drugs'. Since the protocol introduction, we observed a 45% reduction in the drug waste expenditure. This benefit was confirmed in the following years and drug waste minimazion was able to limit the impact of new pricely drugs on the Department expenditures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Facing current budgetary constraints, the application of a drug waste minimization model is effective in drug cost containment and may produce durable benefits.
authors: Oncology Department, University Hospital of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy. fasola.gianpiero@aoud.sanita.fvg.it.
authors: Gianpiero
authors: G
authors: Fasola
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Aprile
authors: Luisa
authors: L
authors: Marini
authors: Alessandro
authors: A
authors: Follador
authors: Mauro
authors: M
authors: Mansutti
authors: Manuela
authors: M
authors: Miscoria
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003363:Cost Control / Q000379:methods*; D016527:Drug Costs; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents