Klin Farmakol Farm. 2010;24(1):11-14

Diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer in terms of economics

Veronika Dubajová¹, Milan Dubaj2, Viliam Foltan¹

¹ Katedra organizácie a riadenia farmácie, Farmaceutická fakulta, Univerzita Komenského v Bratislave,

Purpose: Colorectal cancer is a global health, social and economic challenge. Our goal was to determine the costs of oncological therapy

for colorectal cancer in 50 patients treated in the National Cancer Institute in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Methods: An analysis of costs

of colorectal cancer was used that investigates the disease in terms of direct medical costs which include the costs of medications, examinations

and other procedures related to providing health care within adjuvant fluorouracil therapy.

Results: Based on the average

daily dose of medications and the average number of procedures reported, standard costs for health insurance companies throughout

adjuvant therapy with fluorouracil in patients with colorectal cancer were determined. They are approximately EUR 2642.51–2586.75,

depending on the type of the imaging methods used (either CT or MRI).

Conclusion: Colorectal cancer represents the most common

malignant tumour in both sexes in Slovakia (except for non-melanoma skin cancer). Compared to the cost-effectiveness of fluorouracil

in the conditions of the Czech Republic, the financial burden is almost identical at a level of CZK 94,015.

Keywords: colorectal cancer, incidence, adjuvant therapy, pharmacoeconomics

Published: May 1, 2010  Show citation