[Assessment of the impact of the use single-dose medications in 2 primary care centres].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the economical impact of using medications packaged in a single dose non-reusable container (Onedose(®)), compared to prescribing preparations in the usual multidose containers.

DESIGN

We performed a cost-minimization analysis from a prescribing center's perspective. The observational study design is retrospective and analyzes 23 products in prescriptions made between January and April 2012.

SETTING

Two Spanish Primary Care Centers located in the province of Barcelona. The first covered an urban area with a population of 24.500 people, and the second a semi-urban area with 10.000 people.

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Each examined product was measured between January and April 2012 and extrapolated annually, based on the defined substitution scenarios results of total Euro savings in non-prescribed doses and price differences.

RESULTS

The Savings related to the substitution of the prescribed packaging presentations with Onedose(®) were 45.000 Euros (24%) in the months of analysis and 133.000 Euros annually, avoiding the use of 212.000 doses (14%) in the period analyzed and 669.000 doses annually.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of single dose non-reusable container packaging (Onedose(®)) in the analyzed health centers reduced prescription-related expenses without increasing dispensing costs, thus reducing the household stock of those medicines which are not objectively suitable to be used without a previous diagnosis.