Pharmacoeconomic evaluation on breast cancer patients in a Tertiary care hospital in south India

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the economic and humanistic outcomes in the management of breast cancer patients in a tertiary care hospital of south India. Our objectives were to determine the cost of illness ( economic outcome), analyse the quality of life (humanistic outcome) using EORTC C-30 and BR-23 Questionnaire, compare the cost associated with breast cancer management using different drug regimens and to estimate the occurrence of adverse drug reactions during breast cancer management. The study was conducted in the department of oncology in a tertiary care teaching hospital. The required data was collected by reviewing charts, personal interview with patients/bystanders and Mediware system of our Hospital. The treatment costs were calculated for different drug regimens and the QOL was determined using EORTC questionnaire. We have determined the economic outcome associated with breast cancer treatment as well as Quality of life of patients after therapeutic management. Economic outcomes were categorised into direct and indirect costs, and concluded that regimen I is more expensive than regimen IL Measurement of Humanistic outcomes showed no difference between the two groups and the drug related side effects were prominent in both the groups. Breast cancer is found to be the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths among women and has become an important issue nowadays. There are less studies assessing the health care costs associated with caregiver burden so pharmacoeconomic studies will definitely help to improve patients health and overall QOL.