Analysis of pharmaceutical interventions on avoidable costs with pharmacotherapy in a teaching hospital in Sergipe (Brazil) in the first months of Covid-19

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the impact of pharmaceutical interventions on avoidable costs with pharmacotherapy in a teaching hospital in the first months of Covid-19. Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective study, with a quantitative approach carried out in a teaching hospital. The evaluated data were obtained from the documentation of interventions carried out between April and October 2020 by the institution’s clinical pharmacists. To calculate the estimated initial cost and the final cost of treatment, the value of the drug and the inputs used for administration were considered multiplied by the dosage (frequency and prescribed treatment time). In order to obtain the value saved for each intervention, the final discovered cost was subtracted from the estimated initial value of the treatment. Results: 167 pharmaceutical interventions were registered with cost reduction, generating savings corresponding to $ 9.067,83. The units that most demanded pharmaceutical interventions were Intensive Care Units (ICU) general and Covid-19. Antimicrobials stood out with the largest number of interventions related to cost reduction and with the largest amount saved. As for the type of intervention related to cost reduction, the most frequent was dose reduction due to changes in renal function (49.48%). Conclusion: Pharmaceutical interventions act as a tool to promote the rational use of medicines for their clinical and economic benefits. This study allowed to demonstrate that the pharmaceutical service can collaborate to reduce unnecessary health expenses.