OBJECTIVES: Anemia is frequent during pregnancy and is associated with maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. The main cause of anemia in obstetrics is iron deficiency. In a recent survey in Algeria, iron deficiency anemia (IDA) was reported in at least 30% of the patients from different medical settings. In gynecology and obstetrics this rate was estimated > 50%. The aim of this work is to evaluate the economic impact of intravenous (iv) ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) in anemic pregnant women in Algeria.

METHODS: A budget Impact model (BIM) consisting in a cost-minimization that compared the usual strategy for treating pregnant women using iv iron sucrose (IS) to FCM. Costs savings were calculated from the perspective of Algerian health care providers. Cost related to treatment of IDA included infusion, iron workup, medical time, iron vials acquisition and absenteeism. Data included in the economic model were obtained from the scientific literature, public health data and expert opinion. A BIM was also considered for the population of Algerian women eligible for iv iron treatment to evaluate the gross impact on payers’ budget if FCM was adopted.

RESULTS: Treatment of pregnant women with IDA (mean weight, 75 kg; Hb 7.5 g/dL) required 9 hospital visits and 18.5 doses for IS treatment vs. 1 hospital visit and 2 doses for FCM treatment. The total cost per patient was DZD 66,804 for IS and DZD 38,202 for FCM (cost savings per patient: DZD 28,602, i.e. –43%). Global cost savings if all 192,000 pregnant Algerian anemic women eligible for IS treatment were prescribed FCM would be DZD 5,491,643,251.80.

CONCLUSIONS: Results of this BIM suggests that FCM is a cost-saving treatment in pregnant women with IDA in Algeria. The utilization of FCM increased administration efficiency and optimized health care resources by reducing the number of hospital visits.