Assessing the Impact of a Designated Pharmacist Intervention on Drug Treatment Costs and Technical Efficiency in the Hemato-Oncology Outpatient Clinic

Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the impact of a designated pharmacist (DPha) intervention in a hemato-oncology unit, focusing on reducing drug treatment costs and improving technical efficiency (TE).

Methods

Data from an 8-month intervention in the Israeli Clalit Health Services hemato-oncology outpatient unit were analyzed. During the study, the DPha reviewed the drug therapies being administered. After the review, a recommendation letter was sent, if relevant, to the treating physician. Data on drug treatment costs and interventions were meticulously collected and analyzed from the perspective of the insurer. A simple design was used to assess the DPha intervention’s contribution to TE and cost reduction, which was used to generate credible and transparent estimates. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of 2 major variables: drug prices and pharmacist salaries.

Results

Over 8 months, DPha interventions led to a $279 191 cost reduction for 91 patients, resulting in net savings of $269 420 ($2960 per patient). Noteworthy is the $411 savings for each hour worked by the pharmacist, with a major impact on medications not insurer approved for the patient’s condition ($101 151) and discontinuing inappropriate medications ($52 681). Biological drug optimization accounted for 81% of total savings. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated significant cost savings across various drug prices and pharmacist salary scenarios.

Conclusions

The study proposes a practical framework for optimizing pharmacist services and reducing the inappropriate use of costly oncology medications. Incorporating a DPha enhances TE and yields significant cost reductions, offering valuable insights for insurers, policy makers, and healthcare professionals.