Production cost of autologous platelet rich plasma gel

OBJECTIVE: to estimate the direct cost of producing autologous platelet rich plasma gel. METHOD: an economic, prospective, longitudinal study with direct cost estimation, from the perspective of the Unified Health System, conducted in a university hospital in the state of Rio de Janeiro, over a period of 12 weeks. It was approved by the Ethics Committee of the School of Medicine. Direct observation of 18 participants was conducted. Material and human resources categories were analyzed for production costs. RESULTS: the cost of producing platelet rich plasma gel was US $4.88 per session, for a total of US $5.16, when the material resources per unit were considered in the Unified Health System. The time to complete the procedure was approximately 22 minutes. CONCLUSION: the production of platelet rich plasma gel involves low cost material resources for both blood collection and preparation, enabling universal access to treatment. The procedure requires trained staff in an appropriate location; it is a safe and inexpensive technology.