OBJECTIVES: The present research aimed to estimate the budget impact (BI) of the implementation of tafluprost/timolol maleate (TAF/TIM) fixed dose combination for lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) in adult patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension versus monocomponents given concomitantly (TAF+TIM) in Bulgarian healthcare setting.

METHODS: A BI model with two scenarios was developed in Microsoft Excel to describe the costs of the implementation of TAF/TIM fixed dose combination in the list of therapies available for lowering IOP in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension in Bulgaria. The model was populated with local epidemiologic and cost data and compares the total budgetary costs of a scenario with TAF/TIM fixed combination versus a scenario without TAF/TIM. These two scenarios were considered from the Bulgarian National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) perspective and from society’s perspective. The time horizon used in the model was five years.

RESULTS: The BI analysis from NHIF perspective estimated that TAF/TIM incorporation would bring a saving of 18 645 BGN in the first year of incorporation, reaching 61 020 BGN savings in year five. The cumulative impact over 5-year time horizon corresponds to a total saving of 194 955 BGN. From society’s perspective the inclusion of TAF/TIM in the reimbursement list may yield savings of 1 574 925 BGN over 5-year time horizon.

CONCLUSIONS: Over the examined time horizon, the budget impact of the introduction of the new technology TAF/TIM fixed dose combination will bring lower budgetary cost for the lowering of IOP in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension, both from the NHIF perspective and society’s perspective.