BACKGROUND: Vitamin K compounded oral solution costs significantly less on a per-milligram basis compared with tablet formulations. Current literature has shown that international normalized ratio (INR) lowering in the reversal of vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) occurs to a similar degree when using vitamin K oral solution compared with tablet formulations. OBJECTIVE: To compare drug spending on vitamin K oral solution versus tablet using a price-performance ratio (PPR). METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted at a tertiary care academic medical center to compare INR reversal of VKA-induced coagulopathy on a price basis for vitamin K oral solution versus tablet. The price of the oral solution accounted for supplies and labor. A PPR was calculated based upon the following formula: vitamin K formulation cost divided by the hourly percent change in INR following vitamin K administration. RESULTS: The PPR for vitamin K tablets was 27.0 compared with 5.8 for the oral solution (P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Utilization of vitamin K solution resulted in a significantly reduced cost per INR-lowering effect relative to commercially available tablets. Utilization of a compounded vitamin K solution represents an enticing means of cost-savings in the hospital setting.
BACKGROUND: Vitamin K compounded oral solution costs significantly less on a per-milligram basis compared with tablet formulations. Current literature has shown that international normalized ratio (INR) lowering in the reversal of vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) occurs to a similar degree when using vitamin K oral solution compared with tablet formulations. OBJECTIVE: To compare drug spending on vitamin K oral solution versus tablet using a price-performance ratio (PPR). METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted at a tertiary care academic medical center to compare INR reversal of VKA-induced coagulopathy on a price basis for vitamin K oral solution versus tablet. The price of the oral solution accounted for supplies and labor. A PPR was calculated based upon the following formula: vitamin K formulation cost divided by the hourly percent change in INR following vitamin K administration. RESULTS: The PPR for vitamin K tablets was 27.0 compared with 5.8 for the oral solution (P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Utilization of vitamin K solution resulted in a significantly reduced cost per INR-lowering effect relative to commercially available tablets. Utilization of a compounded vitamin K solution represents an enticing means of cost-savings in the hospital setting.
Authors: N van Rein; E P A Gebuis; W M Lijfering; J J E Groeneveld; F A L van der Horst; S le Cessie; F R Rosendaal; F J M van der Meer Journal: J Thromb Haemost Date: 2014-11-07 Impact factor: 5.824
Authors: Peter Baker; Ana Gleghorn; Teresa Tripp; Kevin Paddon; Helen Eagleton; David Keeling Journal: Br J Haematol Date: 2006-05 Impact factor: 6.998
Authors: M A Crowther; J Julian; D McCarty; J Douketis; M Kovacs; L Biagoni; T Schnurr; J McGinnis; M Gent; J Hirsh; J Ginsberg Journal: Lancet Date: 2000-11-04 Impact factor: 79.321