Cost of Pediatrics Drug Therapy Services at Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study is to explore the estimation cost of delivery drug therapy services for pediatrics by using American Model with local cost in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: It is a cross-sectional 6-months analysis of drug distribution services for pediatric conducted in 2016. It was at 300-bed maternity and pediatrics Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The cost was calculated pediatrics drug therapy management services delivered to 55 beds. The physician prescribed the medications. The pharmacist reviewed and prepared drugs and distributed through unit dose system, floor stock distribution and discharge medications services. The medications were prepared through ASHP standards and facilities. The fast moving oral and topical medications were included in the study. The cost model was calculated based on variable expenses including personal cost, material and supply cost. Fixed cost was including direct cost, non-salary cost and overhead cost. All cost was used of US dollar currency and local prices. Results: The estimated cost of delivery of drug therapy services for all total number pediatrics beds per day was (1,214.68 USD). It consisted of three types; the unit dose system (771.89 USD), drug floor stock distribution system (350.32 USD) and discharge medication services (92.47 USD). The majority of cost came from overhead cost in floor stock services and discharge medication delivery; compared to the personal cost in unit dose services delivery. The total estimated annual expenditures of Drug distribution services were (443,358.20 USD). The highest budget expenditures from unit dose services 63.55% (281,739.85 USD), followed by floor stock medication delivery 28.84% (127,866.80 USD) and discharge drug therapy 7.61% (33,751.55 USD). Conclusion: The estimation cost of delivery pediatrics drug therapy is the first study in the Middle East, Gulf countries and Saudi Arabia. It is basic element of cost calculation of pediatrics-related health care services.

The Cost Analysis of Network Drug Information Services at Ministry of Health Institutions in Saudi Arabia

“…[11] It was lower than that reported in the other investigations because they used costly equipment in the other pharmacy services. [13][14][15] The other finding is difficult to compare with literature because lacking information data. The cost analysis of drug information services was expensive and a lot of activities, performances and services provided to the healthcare professional and public populations to cover the justification of established the services at Ministry of Health Organization in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.…”