Insulin vials vs. insulin cartridges: Further cost considerations.

SCOPE

Many studies have provided evidence that favor the use of insulin pens over traditional insulin vials due to lower overall costs. The cost of insulin in the Royal Medical Services in Jordan is subject to other considerations due to the favorable tender prices and the process of dispensing of insulin within the Royal Medical Services.

OBJECTIVE

To highlight further cost considerations associated with the wastage in the use of insulin vials and cartridges in the Jordanian Royal Medical Services.

METHODS

Two random samples were selected from prescriptions dispensed for diabetic patients using insulin in January 2012 from the outpatient pharmacy in Al-Hussein Hospital, King Hussein Medical Center, Amman, Jordan. First sample was selected from prescriptions of patients using vials; second sample was selected from prescriptions of patients using pens and cartridges. Average costs for insulin and wastage were calculated per patient from the Royal Medical Services perspective.

RESULTS

The average direct cost per patient using vials was JD 5.197 and for those using cartridges was JD 22.135. The average wasted quantity per patient in the first sample was more than ten times that of the second sample. The cost of the average wasted quantity per patient in the first sample (1.022 JD) was more than the double that in the second sample (0.441 JD).

CONCLUSION

Although, the direct cost of insulin per patient by using vials was lower than cartridges, there was a substantial reduction in the cost of wastage by using the cartridges in the Jordanian Royal Medical Services outpatients.