Assessment of the potential impact of dose rounding parenteral chemotherapy agents on cost savings and drug waste minimization

Background Fiscally responsible utilization of anticancer treatments is necessary to combat their continually increasing cost. Dose rounding is one strategy that has been explored to minimize cost and waste without losing clinical effectiveness. Objectives To determine if dose rounding chemotherapy agents is a feasible cost-containment strategy at an institution with a small oncology clinic. Methods This study is a retrospective chart review of all body surface area dosed parenteral chemotherapy prescribed for an oncological diagnosis over a 12-month period (1 October 2015-30 September 2016). Chemotherapy doses were rounded down by 5%. Doses for patients with metastatic diagnoses were also rounded down by 10%. Rounded doses were evaluated for a potential decrease in vial size. Cost was represented as dollar/milligram of drug. Potential for drug waste minimization was also calculated. Results There were 877 total doses of chemotherapy administered to 70 unique patients throughout the 12-month duration of the study. When doses were rounded down by 5%, 140 doses qualified for a decrease in vial number. The potential for cost savings was $22,849 with 83,802mg saved from wastage. A 10% decrease resulted in the reduction of vials for 248 doses, a potential savings of $30,911 with 129,011 milligrams saved. The targeted agents accounted for the majority of savings, $16,920 of the $22,849 with 5% rounding and $20,086 of the $30,911 with 10% rounding. Conclusion Dose rounding has the potential to be an effective cost-containment strategy in low volume oncology clinics.