A pharmacoeconomic analysis of the collection and preservation of samples in the biobank of the “Instituto Nacional de Cancerología” in Mexico City

Abstract

In this work we estimated the budgetary impact of the samples produced by the biobank of the "Instituto Nacional de Cancerología" (BT-INCan) to set a recuperation fee from the perspective of the Health Ministry of Mexico. The study is an observational retrospective review of the direct medical costs (DMCs) of the processes involved in cryopreservation of the samples collected, on a per sample basis, including materials, laboratory tests, personnel, and administrative costs. Materials and labor costs were determined by information collected from the BT-INCan. DMCs were provided depending on the type of sample: plasma, tissue and biopsy; they were calculated according to the process required to preserve them. Sensitivity analysis was performed using bootstrap. Recuperation costs ranged from 130 to 155 USD. Costs were considered on a 5-year time frame for the maintenance per sample, which is the average time that a sample is kept in the BT-INCan. The cost analysis is perceived as an approximation to the most adequate recuperation fee per sample needed to guarantee the correct development of the BT-INCan. This work provides a basis and valuable information about costs, to enable several health institutions to strategically plan and manage a biobank or even motivate to establish their own biobank.

A systematic review of biobanks in Latin America: Strengths and limitations for biomedical research

“…In Latin America, most biobanking projects rely on small grants or institutional funding, contrasting with the UK Biobank, which operates as a charitable entity receiving contributions from various organizations and government sources. 1 However, long-term financial sustainability remains a concern across all biobanks, with no guaranteed funding continuity. 50 Moreover, disparities exist in knowledge and data-sharing practices among regions.…”

“…This represents a significant challenge, not only for obtaining samples but also for ensuring their quality for analysis in the short or long term. 1 Biobanks -a collection of biological samples amassed for research purposes-are an optimal solution, permitting cooperative research and global collaborations to expedite the development and application of scientific knowledge through biological materials and their associated data.…”