The National Bone Marrow Transplant Center (CNGMO) in Tunisia provides specialized care for patients with primary immunodeficiency (PID). The management of these patients necessitates the use of high-cost anti-infective agents, warranting a thorough evaluation to optimize budget allocation.
A retrospective, descriptive study was conducted at the CNGMO, including 21 PID patients, who were admitted for infectious complications and received anti-infective treatments in 2023. Data were extracted from the pharmacy department’s drug management software (STKMED) and analyzed using Microsoft Excel.
The total cost of anti-infective agents was fixed at 296,021€. The mean cost per patient was 17,413.03€, SD = 24,474.29€, and costs range from 1,303.78€/patient to 88,586.03€/patient. The most frequently prescribed drugs were Aciclovir and the combination of Sulfamethoxazole + Trimethoprim (71.43%), with costs of 1,794.42€ (112.15€/patient) and 155.65€ (12.97€/patient), respectively. Tazobactam + Piperacillin and Nystatin ranked second (61.9%), with costs of 1,756.6€ (135.12€/patient) and 175.05€ (13.46€/patient), respectively. The most expensive agents were Foscarnet (total of 56,106.12€ and 28,053.06€/patient), Caspofungin (52,968.25€ and 13,242.05€/patient), and Voriconazole (25,940.52€ and 2,594.05€/patient), representing a significant financial burden.
This analysis highlights the substantial economic impact of infections associated with primary immunodeficiency. The high cost of anti-infective treatments reveals the importance of optimized management strategies and enhanced healthcare resource allocation. Establishing an agreement with the national health insurance fund is crucial to ensuring sustainable financial management of the hospital’s budget.
