Evaluación del impacto de la utilización de medicamentos en dosis unitarias en 2 centros de atención primaria

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the economical impact of using medications packaged in a single dose non-reusable container (Onedose(®)), compared to prescribing preparations in the usual multidose containers. DESIGN: We performed a cost-minimization analysis from a prescribing center's perspective. The observational study design is retrospective and analyzes 23 products in prescriptions made between January and April 2012. SETTING: Two Spanish Primary Care Centers located in the province of Barcelona. The first covered an urban area with a population of 24.500 people, and the second a semi-urban area with 10.000 people. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Each examined product was measured between January and April 2012 and extrapolated annually, based on the defined substitution scenarios results of total Euro savings in non-prescribed doses and price differences. RESULTS: The Savings related to the substitution of the prescribed packaging presentations with Onedose(®) were 45.000 Euros (24%) in the months of analysis and 133.000 Euros annually, avoiding the use of 212.000 doses (14%) in the period analyzed and 669.000 doses annually. CONCLUSIONS: The use of single dose non-reusable container packaging (Onedose(®)) in the analyzed health centers reduced prescription-related expenses without increasing dispensing costs, thus reducing the household stock of those medicines which are not objectively suitable to be used without a previous diagnosis.