Cost-effectiveness analysis of COVID-19 tests in the unified health system
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Published:2023-09-13
Issue:1
Volume:21
Page:
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ISSN:1478-7547
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Container-title:Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation
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language:en
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Short-container-title:Cost Eff Resour Alloc
Author:
Cedro Vinicius Queiroz Miranda,de Lima Gomes Stéfany,Simões Ana Clara Correa Duarte,Sverzut Tatiana do Valle Lovato,Bertti Keila Cristina Xavier,Tristão Marcelo Tadeu,Cavalcanti Yuri Wanderley,Câmara João Victor Frazão,Pereira Antonio Carlos
Abstract
Abstract
Background
To evaluate the cost-effectiveness ratio and economic impact of the Rapid Antigen Test (TR-Ag) to replace RT-PCR for the detection of the new Coronavirus in the Unified Health System (SUS).
Methods
This is a cost-effectiveness analysis. Clinical protocols were used for the diagnosis of COVID-19 at the São José Municipal Hospital, located in the city of Itaberá-SP. The Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) was divided into two scenarios. In the first, the accuracy reported by the test manufacturers was included, and in the second, the cost resulting from a systematic review. Both were compared with the performance of the RT-PCR test. The increase in diagnoses was chosen as a health outcome and absenteeism was used as a criterion for assessing the economic impact.
Results
The analysis resulted in incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of R$ 42,136.67 and R$ 68,329.73 for every thousand tests, according to the accuracy of the manufacturers’ TR-Ag tests and what is reported in the literature in relation to RT-PCR, respectively. The average value found for the RT-PCR test (R$ 202.87) represents an increase of 165.32% in cost in relation to the value found for the TR-Ag. 4,305 tests were performed between April 2020 and December 2021 at the referral hospital. Also, maintaining the use of RT-PCR as the first choice for diagnosing COVID-19 and regulating absenteeism in the economically active population could have an impact of up to R$ 1,022,779.68 on municipal management.
Conclusion
It is concluded that the TR-Ag are configured as a cost-effective alternative for the SUS in the detection of the new Coronavirus. The strategy becomes economically favorable for the expansion of testing, combating the COVID-19 pandemic and reducing the impact on the local economy. However, studies are needed to validate the accuracy of the tests so that economic evaluations on the subject are more assertive.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
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