[Cost savings derived from the participation in clinical trials]

Abstract

Background: Medical care of patients with essential hypertension implies considerable expenses for the National Health System (NHS). During the performance of clinical trials (CT), the promoter (usually the pharmaceutical industry) covers the expenses of patient care, which implies savings for the NHS. In this work, we quantitated cost savings derived from the participation of patients in clinical trials on essential hypertension in a tertiary care level Insalud hospital.

Patients and methods: Savings were defined as the difference between the economical expenses of a patient before being enrolled in a clinical trial (CT) and that generated during his/her participation in the CT. Expenses of a given patient to the NHS were calculated from his/her clinical record during a time period equal to CT length in which the patient participated. Three financial allottments in four CT were analyzed (three with a 52-week duration and one of 14 weeks) that meant cost savings (total or partial): a) antihypertensive drugs; b) complementary tests, and c) medical visits.

Results: Seventy-three patients with essential hypertension were enrolled in the 4 CT; 59 (81%) patients were randomly assigned and 57 patients concluded the CT. The overall savings derived from the participation of the 57 patients was 2,950,423 pesetas. Most of these savings corresponded to drugs (70.7%). Savings derived from laboratory tests (14.1%) and medical visits (15.1%) were similar. The mean savings derived from the participation of one patient in a CT for 12 months was, at least, 70,564 pesetas (5,880 pesetas/patient/month).

Conclusions: The participation of patients with essential AH implies considerable savings for the NHS.