OBJECTIVES: Bevacizumab-based therapy as first line treatment of advanced or metastatic NSCLC is associated with longer progression free survival (PFS) when compared with chemotherapy alone (Sandler et al, 2006, Reck et al, 2009). This study analyses the implications of the clinical benefits of bevacizumab-based treatment for the societal costs in Spain. METHODS: Clinical inputs (PFS) were obtained from two clinical trials (E4599 and AVAiL) comparing a bevacizumab regimen (combined with carboplatin/paclitaxel or cisplatin/gemcitabine) with chemotherapy alone. Percentage of patients returning to work was estimated as 20% of all progression free patients with ECOG performance status 0-1 in the age of ≤55 years. PFS percentage was applied to the incidence estimation for non-squamous metastatic NSCLC in Spain after applying specific employment rate. Indirect costs were calculated using the human capital approach. Spanish labor costs available at EUROSTAT were applied after inflating to 2009 values. Employment patterns were suggested by the clinical experts (full time/part-time), and were applied to the estimation of patients returning to work. Time frames for the calculations were 12 months and 18 months. RESULTS: Average cost saving per progression-free patient was €12,401 at 12 months and €22,322 at 18 months. Sensitivity analysis on changes in employment patterns from 40% full-time/60% part-time to 60% full-time/40% part-time increased cost savings per patient to €14,173 and €25,511 at 12 and 18 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with bevacizumab-based therapy results in the reduction of productivity losses due to improved clinical benefits and hereby leads to considerable societal cost savings.