ESCALATING DRUG COSTS OF MYELOFIBROSIS TREATMENT IN A COLOMBIAN HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY: EVIDENCE FROM RUXOLITINIB DISPENSING RECORDS (2022-2026)
Author(s)
Kevin Enrique Gamero Tafur, MSc1, JOSSIE ALVIS ZAKZUK, BA, MASc1, Nelson Rafael Alvis Zakzuk, MBA2, Nelson José Alvis Zakzuk, MSc3.
1Pharmaser, Cartagena, Colombia, 2ALZAK, Cartagena, Colombia, 3Universidad de la Costa, Barranquilla, Colombia.
1Pharmaser, Cartagena, Colombia, 2ALZAK, Cartagena, Colombia, 3Universidad de la Costa, Barranquilla, Colombia.
OBJECTIVES: Myelofibrosis is a rare chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by progressive bone marrow fibrosis, cytopenias, and splenomegaly. This study aimed to estimate the evolution of ruxolitinib expenditure for myelofibrosis in a Colombian health insurance company between 2022 and 2026, and to project the annual financial impact for the current period
METHODS: Administrative dispensing records from a Colombian insurance were analyzed descriptively. Total expenditure were aggregated by year. All costs were expressed in 2025 constant US dollars applying annual average exchange rates from the Colombian central bank.
RESULTS: The active cohort grew from 11 patients at end of 2022 to 26 by end of 2025, a 136% increase. Over the same period, annual drug expenditure rose from USD $394,376 to USD $970,637, representing a 146% increase in spending. As of the first quarter of 2026, expenditure already reached USD $322,311, projecting a full-year cost of COP $4,038,804,613 (USD $996,532) and a cumulative four-year total of COP $12,187,056,090 (USD $3,007,026)
CONCLUSIONS: The consistent upward trend in ruxolitinib dispensing reflects improved diagnostic capacity and broader therapeutic access for myelofibrosis in Colombia. As the cohort approaches a projected annual expenditure of USD $1,000,000, health insurers face increasing pressure on their drug budgets. Proactive financial risk management strategies, including prospective budget impact modeling and negotiated access agreements with manufacturers, are essential to sustain long-term treatment continuity for this patient population
METHODS: Administrative dispensing records from a Colombian insurance were analyzed descriptively. Total expenditure were aggregated by year. All costs were expressed in 2025 constant US dollars applying annual average exchange rates from the Colombian central bank.
RESULTS: The active cohort grew from 11 patients at end of 2022 to 26 by end of 2025, a 136% increase. Over the same period, annual drug expenditure rose from USD $394,376 to USD $970,637, representing a 146% increase in spending. As of the first quarter of 2026, expenditure already reached USD $322,311, projecting a full-year cost of COP $4,038,804,613 (USD $996,532) and a cumulative four-year total of COP $12,187,056,090 (USD $3,007,026)
CONCLUSIONS: The consistent upward trend in ruxolitinib dispensing reflects improved diagnostic capacity and broader therapeutic access for myelofibrosis in Colombia. As the cohort approaches a projected annual expenditure of USD $1,000,000, health insurers face increasing pressure on their drug budgets. Proactive financial risk management strategies, including prospective budget impact modeling and negotiated access agreements with manufacturers, are essential to sustain long-term treatment continuity for this patient population
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
EE225
Topic
Economic Evaluation, Epidemiology & Public Health, Health Technology Assessment
Topic Subcategory
Cost/Cost of Illness/Resource Use Studies
Disease
Oncology