Cost-minimization analysis in iron-deficiency anemia comparing intravenous ferric carboxymaltose to standard of care in pregnant women in Algeria

INTRODUCTION: Anemia due to iron deficiency is frequent during pregnancy and increases morbidity and mortality of mothers and infants. The objective of this study was to assess the economic consequences of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) in anemic pregnant women in Algeria. METHODS: The economic analysis was a cost-minimization model comparing the strategy for treating pregnant women with intravenous iron sucrose to FCM. The perspective of Algerian health-care providers was adopted to calculate costs savings. Cost related to treatment of iron-deficiency anemia included infusion, iron workup, medical time, iron vials acquisition, and absenteeism. Data were obtained mostly from available scientific literature and public health data and were validated by expert opinion. A budget impact model was also developed for the population of Algerian women needing intravenous iron treatment to evaluate the gross impact on payers' budget if FCM treatment was prescribed. RESULTS: Treatment of pregnant women with iron-deficiency anemia (mean weight, 65 kg; hemoglobin 7.5 g/dL) needed 7 hospital visits and 14.9 doses for iron sucrose treatment to be compared to 2 hospital visits and 2 doses for FCM treatment. Total cost was Algerian dinar (DZD) 69,222 per patient for iron sucrose and DZD 57,452 for FCM (cost savings per patient: DZD 11,769, i.e., 17%). If all 192,000 pregnant Algerian anemic women eligible for injectable iron treatment received FCM, global cost savings would be DZD 2,259,820,627 per year. CONCLUSION: This economic model suggests that FCM is a cost-saving treatment compared to standard iron sucrose treatment in pregnant women with iron-deficiency anemia in Algeria.