The impact of the profile of biologics on treatment costs

Abstract

In the perspective of the payer, it is important to know the details concerning the management costs of biological drugs in an effort to optimise expenditures. We have therefore examined how the expenditure varies with regard to the purchase of biologics, the mode of administration, and the management of serious adverse events secondary to the use of various drugs. The average expenditure for the purchase of the drug, including VAT, is € 12,005, while expenditures for the administration and management of serious adverse events are minimal, i.e. € 32 and € 124, respectively. An analysis of how the cost of various items affects the overall cost revealed no significant differences that would steer the choice towards one biologic drug rather than another.