Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and medication errors impose a significant economic burden on healthcare systems, costing £770 million annually in the UK and causing 1.5 million preventable hospital admissions in the US. ADRs rank as the fourth leading cause of death, underscoring the urgent need for improved medication safety. The rising use of over-the-counter (OTC) medications, along with dispensing and prescribing errors, increases risks. This study evaluates the cost effectiveness and budget impact of I-Medicine, an AI-powered digital health platform designed to reduce ADR-related hospitalisations and optimise healthcare expenditures.
METHODS: A cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) compared I-Medicine's implementation costs to savings from reduced ADR-related hospitalisations and medication errors. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated as cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained, using real-world data on ADR-related admissions and productivity losses. A budget impact analysis (BIA) projected nationwide financial effects over five years, considering direct (hospital stays, emergency visits, treatments) and indirect (productivity losses) cost savings.
RESULTS: I-Medicine was found to be highly cost-effective, with an ICER of £3,500 per QALY, well below the UK's willingness-to-pay threshold (£20,000-£30,000 per QALY). The platform led to:
• 30% reduction in ADR-related hospital admissions, saving £230 million annually.
• 20% fewer lost workdays, improving productivity.
• Return on investment (ROI) of 3.5:1, meaning every £1 invested saves £3.50 in preventable ADR-related costs.
The BIA projected cumulative savings of £1.2 billion over five years, highlighting I-Medicine's financial sustainability, primarily due to reduced hospitalisations and emergency visits.
CONCLUSIONS: I-Medicine is a scalable, AI-driven solution that enhances medication safety through real-time monitoring, automated alerts, and clinical decision support tools. The findings reinforce the economic and clinical value of AI-powered medication management in strengthening healthcare resilience.