OBJECTIVES: To calculate the direct costs associated with diagnosis of multiple myeloma (MM) in local settings and establish the extent to which it is possible to obtain real life data, that could be used for decision making process at the level of regulatory bodies in Slovakia. We also wanted to test, how accurate and reliable direct cost data are available for this diagnosis.

METHODS: The study was a retrospective case-study analysis, conducted by using available electronic databases and by using data delivered directly from the state authorities including Ministry of Health of Slovak Republic. We performed the „bottom-up“ approach that helped us identify, quantify and value resources in a disaggregated way, so that each element of the costs was estimated individually and they were summed up at the end. We calculated direct costs for a model patient with MM during the first 12 months after confirmed diagnosis.

RESULTS:Based on 15 publicly available resources, we have been able to identify following direct costs associated with MM (% from total direct costs and equivalent of 2018 USD) within first 12 months after diagnosis: diagnostics costs incl. out-patient, radio-diagnostics, laboratory diagnostics €2 386 (3.4%, $2 913), special medical procedures incl. bone marrow transplant €17 856 (25.6%, $21 802), inpatient hospitalization €7 649 (11%, $9 339) and total therapy costs based on MM guidelines €41 743 (60%, $50 966).

CONCLUSIONS: We believe, that direct cost estimates were close to reality, but we were not able to confirm it. To obtain reliable and up-to-date cost data from any organization, registry, portal or web site including Ministry of Health was not possible. Accuracy and reliability of direct cost data is therefore low, but this study has important role for starting the serious discussion about cost data quality and availability, which have irreplaceable role in accurate economic assessments in healthcare.