Budgetarry impact of the incorporation of claritromycin in the treatment of infection by new coronavirus

Abstract

Introduction: In Brazil, the use of third generation cephalosporins associated with a macrolide (azithromycin or clarithromycin), has been recommended at admission. Objective: To estimate the budgetary impact of the use of clarithromycin as a supporting macrolide in the empirical treatment scheme for patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. Method: Budgetary Impact Analysis. Unified Health System perspective, local level. 5-year time horizon. Used the Brazilian Budget Impact Analysis Worksheet. Three alternative scenarios and one reference were analyzed. Results: The five-year cost in the reference scenario was R$ 2,504,887.92. Conclusion: The incorporation of clarithromycin in alternative scenarios may represent an average incremental cost of more than 22% of the budget available for the acquisition of azithromycin in 5 years, which may be economically unfeasible to offer to all patients in hospitals, without having loss in meeting other demands.