Evaluation of the economic benefits, administration times, and patient preferences associated with the use of biotechnological drugs administered subcutaneously and intravenously in patients with cancer: a systematic review

Figures & data

Figure 1. PRISMA flowchart: search, screening and selection of evidence.

Table 1. Percentage of direct cost reduction for preparation, administration, and drug costs of subcutaneous versus intravenous administration.

Source: own elaboration. Abbreviations. IV: Intravenous; NE: Not Estimable; SC: Subcutaneous.

1. The study presents the mean value of the SC drug ($36) but not that of the IV drug.

2. Negative reduction implies a lower cost of administration in IV versus SC presentation.

3. Cost of administration per cycle excluding patient time.

4. Cost of administration per cycle including patient time.

5. It presents the net difference between IV and SC presentation, but it is not possible to calculate the percentage reduction.

6. Drug costs for 1 year of treatment (87.5 kg).

7. Drug costs for 1 year of treatment (50 kg).

8. Treatment costs in the first session.

9. Treatment costs subsequent sessions.

Table 2. Percentage of indirect cost reduction of subcutaneous versus intravenous administration.

Source: own elaboration. Abbreviations. IV: intravenous; NE: Not estimable; SA: Saudi Arabia; SC: subcutaneous.

*The positive percentage reduction means higher indirect cost in IV presentation compared to SC.

1. The reduction in indirect costs related to lost workdays for ward time and total hospitalization was 75.6% and 44.2%, respectively.

2. Percentage reduction in indirect costs related to lost work days for the O’Brien et al. and Rojas et al. study was 72.1% and 30.4%, respectively.

3. Productivity loss is presented for the SC presentation ($ 47090 USD) but not for the IV, therefore, it is not possible to estimate the percentage reduction.

Table 3. Percentage of preparation and administration time reduction of subcutaneous versus intravenous administration.

Source: own elaboration. Abbreviations: IV: Intravenous; h: hours; m: minutes; NL: Netherlands; NZ: New Zealand; HHS: administered by hand-self syringe; LD: loading dose; MD: Maintenance dose; NE: No estimable; s: seconds; SC: subcutaneous; SID: single-use injection device.

*Positive percentage reduction means longer preparation time and IV administration compared to SC.

1. The study included countries such as Brazil, Greece, Israel, Japan, Poland, Sweden, Taiwan and Ukraine.

2. The study included countries such as: Austria, Brazil, France, Italy, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, United Kingdom.

3. The study included 32 countries.

4. Mean time associated with preparation, compounding and administration in two hospitals (minutes).

5. The study included countries such as: Canada, France, Switzerland, Denmark, Italy, Russia, Spain and Turkey.