Dose Rounding and Cost Reduction of Anticancer Agents at King Fahad Medical City, Saudi Arabia: A 1-Year Feasibility Study

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The exponential increase in the price of anticancer drugs has warranted looking for a cost-saving measure to counter their price rise. We aim to study the impact of dose rounding of biological and anticancer agents within a range of 10% of the ordered dose. <b><i>Method:</i></b> The study involved patients treated with anticancer agents between January 2018 and December 2018 at King Fahad Medical City’s (KFMC) comprehensive cancer center. An anticancer medication database was created for data collection and processing. All the eligible orders were processed by hematology and oncology physicians. A performance improvement methodology was used. The dose rounding was based on the patient’s preprinted order and the nearest available vial size. The potential impact on cost was measured in Saudi Riyals (SAR). Descriptive statistics were applied for data analysis and interpretation of the results. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 26 anticancer medications were used for treating cancer patients, and 208 prescriptions were found to be eligible for dose rounding. Brentuximab was among the drugs, showing the highest cost saving at an estimated 20,600 SAR. In addition to reducing wastage and cost of medications, 7 min were saved per preparation episode in the post-intervention period. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Data reflected that dose rounding of chemotherapy and biological agents up to a limit of 10% is a feasible approach and could potentially save extra cost and wastage of medications in the comprehensive cancer center of KFMC.