OBJECTIVES: To estimate the impact on the budget of the Public Payer in Poland of the continuation of docetaxel reimbursement in the neoadjuvant therapy of locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) and palliative therapy of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) due to rising needs. METHODS: Analysis was performed from the public payers’ perspective (National Health Fund) in Poland. Two scenarios were compared: present and future. Docetaxel is reimbursed in Poland for patients who fulfill special requirements (limited reimbursement). In the “present scenario” it was assumed that the number of patients is equal to the number of patients treated in 2007 year. In the “future scenario” it was assumed that the target population for docetaxel treatment will increase in the following years 2008-2012 due to better patient diagnosis and increase in disease incidence. for patients who fulfill special requirements (limited reimbursement). In the “present scenario” it was assumed that the number of patients is equal to the number of patients treated in 2007 year. In the “future scenario” it was assumed that the target population for docetaxel treatment will increase in the following years 2008-2012 due to better patient diagnosis and increase in disease incidence. . Two scenarios were compared: present and future. Docetaxel is reimbursed in for patients who fulfill special requirements (limited reimbursement). In the “present scenario” it was assumed that the number of patients is equal to the number of patients treated in 2007 year. In the “future scenario” it was assumed that the target population for docetaxel treatment will increase in the following years 2008-2012 due to better patient diagnosis and increase in disease incidence. RESULTS: Estimated number of patients who will be treated (with restrictions) with docetaxel will increase from 2278 in 2008 to 2550 in 2012. Compared to 2007 total increase in number of patients will amount from 135 to 407 patients annually. Assuming continuation of docetaxel reimbursement in the treatment of LABC and MBC in years 2008-2012, the incremental expenses of the Public Payer to finance the treatment with docetaxel will amount 3,28 mln PLN in 2008 up to 11,23 mln PLN in 2012. Incremental QALYs will amount from 66 to 233 in 2008 and 2012 respectively. Incremental LYG will amount from 76 to 254 years in 2008 to 2012 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Continuation of docetaxel reimbursement in the treatment of LABC and MBC will not considerably influence the expenses of the Public Payer in Poland. Treatment with docetaxel improves survival and functional outcomes compared with standard care. Discontinuation of the therapeutic program reimbursement would cause significant decrease of the total incremental effect among patients with locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer. . Treatment with docetaxel improves survival and functional outcomes compared with standard care. Discontinuation of the therapeutic program reimbursement would cause significant decrease of the total incremental effect among patients with locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer.