Estimación del ahorro hospitalario con el reemplazo de inmunosupresores genéricos en trasplante renal

Abstract

Background: The use of narrow therapeutic index generic immunosuppressant in solid organ transplantation is controversial. Most experiences switching to these drugs have short term follow-up periods, analyze only pharmacokinetic issues and do not systematically include either complications or cost analyses. Aim: To analyze the costs and benefits of switching our kidney transplant recipients from innovative tacrolimus to a generic version of the drug. Material and Methods: Fifty-seven stable transplant recipients were switched from innovative tacrolimus to a generic version of the drug, maintaining the same dose. They were followed for eight months recording all events during such period. Results: We observed two infectious episodes, five allograft biopsies were performed and two patients had acute rejections. Conclusions: From the payer's perspective, if all the costs associated with the change to generic tacrolimus are considered, savings related to a lower cost of the drug translate in a real financial loss for the public health system. The analysis also showed that frequent switches, even from one generic drug to a cheaper one is an even worse strategy to save money.