OBJECTIVES

To calculate the real indirect costs associated with the multiple myeloma (MM) from diagnosis till death. To establish the national base for indirect costs for model patient with MM obtained from key state stakeholders and payers in coordination with the Institute for Health Policy, Ministry of Health (MoH).

METHODS

: It was the retrospective case-study analysis, conducted by using real life data delivered directly from state Social Insurance Agency, The Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family, Ministry of Health and National Health Information Center – all based in Slovak Republic. We performed the „bottom-up“ approach, which helped us identify, quantify and value resources in a disaggregated way, so that each element of the indirect costs was estimated individually and they were summed up at the end. Indirect costs were calculated for a model patient with MM from the confirmed diagnosis till death.

RESULTS

Thanks to direct cooperation with key stakeholders and payers, we identified (% from total indirect costs, EUR 1 = USD 1.1332, European Central Bank) following indirect costs associated with MM: sickness benefit costs €2 198 (1,4%, $2 490), disability pension €15 188 (10,3%, $17 211), state allowances (e.g. transportation, diet, hygiene) €2 598 (1,7%, $2 944), costs associated with productivity loss due to premature death due to MM €127 611 (86,4%, $144 608). Total real and verified (MoH) indirect cost associated with MM in productive patient were in 2018: €147 596 ($167 255).

CONCLUSIONS

Thanks to broad cooperation with key stakeholders and payers and additional verification with MoH, we were able to establish important base for the indirect costs associated with patient in productive age with MM from diagnosis till death. Indirect costs – as additional payer cost – should play important role in complex evaluation of existing and new technologies coming to MM segment.