OBJECTIVES

SCD is associated with a substantial economic burden, since routine and lifelong care is needed to treat disease and its serious complications. The population of SCD patients is growing due to early diagnosis and improved quality of care resulting in patients’ increased survival. The aim of this analysis is to provide the first estimate on the direct costs associated with SCD in Greece.

METHODS

The methodology used in our study follows the standards of the micro-costing approach. A retrospective COI study was conducted from the Greek National Organization for Health Care Provision (ΕΟPYY) perspective for a 12-month period. SCD prevalence derives from the National Registry for Haemoglobinopathies in Greece (1.032 patients). Resource use components were collected from six leading haematologists using the modified Delphi method. The COI model approximates the real-life annual cost of SCD as the sum of drug acquisition, resource use and hospitalization costs.

RESULTS

The annual direct medical cost attributable to SCD management in Greece was estimated at €9,045,299. The key cost driver is the drug acquisition cost (68% of the total cost). Hospitalization cost is the second component (22%) followed by resource use costs (10%). A small proportion of patients account for most of the cost. Total costs of managing SCD are estimated at €8,765/patient/year.

CONCLUSIONS

The present analysis shows that SCD comprises a significant economic burden, mainly driven by drug acquisition costs. Our findings are consistent with other studies estimating SCD costs. Despite some limitations, the present study constitutes the first comprehensive COI analysis of SCD in Greece. However, there are certain aspects of SCD-related costs that have not been captured in this study, such as direct non-medical and indirect costs and long-term management costs of serious chronic complications, which might increase even more the total cost of managing SCD.