Savings to the Colombian health system with the implementation of externally funded oncology clinical trials

Introduction. Spending on drugs to treat cancer will increase by 9-12% annually until 2025. For health systems in high and middle-income countries –such as Colombia– and with an increasing trend of new cancer cases, clinical research can contribute to the efficient use of the system resources available without undermining the timeliness and quality of healthcare. Objective. To calculate the savings generated to the Colombian health system by the implementation of externally funded clinical trials for cancer. Materials and methods. We conducted an observational, longitudinal, descriptive, and retrospective study analyzing participant’s medical records of clinical trials between 2016 and 2022 at the Clínica IMAT Oncomédica Auna, Colombia. Results. The total savings to the health system for external financing of oncology drugs was USD $1,526,320, and the monthly weighted average savings per patient was USD $3,257. The participation of breast cancer patients in randomized controlled clinical trials (n = 138) accounted for 24% (USD $369,363) of the total savings. Participants with clinical stage IV and III accounted for 41.7% (USD $636,475) and 31.06% (USD $473,159), respectively, of the total savings to the general social security health system in Colombia from external financing of oncological drugs. Conclusion. The participation of cancer patients in clinical trials mitigated costs to the Colombian health system, especially in women with breast cancer and in those patients with clinical stage IV of the disease.