BCN HEALTH has participated in the "Global Thalassaemia Review 2021 Report" developed by the Thalassaemia International Federation
With the data obtained in the targeted literature, a cost-of-illness model has been developed to determine the cost of thalassaemia
BCN HEALTH has elaborated the cost-of-illness model included in the section "Estimating the cost of Thalassaemia care: TIF'S Global contribution" of the "Global Thalassaemia Review 2021 Report" developed by the Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF). The report has been published in the TIF’s webpage.
BCN HEALTH has conducted a targeted literature review and has developed a generic cost-of-illness model to provide health funders, researchers, either academic or medical, and patients themselves with a cost model for thalassaemia that would contribute to better planning, allocation of resources and reduction of waste in health care. This would initiate a well-structured and evidence-based dialogue of patient associations with national health authorities to help them understand the rising needs of thalassaemia and the need for policy change.
The targeted literature allowed us to identify the countries that have already performed a cost-of-illness study on thalassaemia and the components that have been taken into consideration for the estimation of treatments costs. With the data obtained in the targeted literature, a cost-of-illness model has been developed to determine the cost of thalassaemia. This model calculates the cost of therapy, which not only includes medication and blood transfusion costs but also hospitalisations, laboratory and diagnostic tests, medical consultations, treatment of side effects or complications and other indirect costs, such as travel expenses and loss of productive days.
The TIF anticipates that the cost-of-illness model developed will be used to: i) define the magnitude of the disease in financial terms in different settings; ii) justify intervention programmes; iii) assist in the allocation of funding and resources on thalassaemia management; iv) provide a basis for policy and planning with regard to prevention and control; and v) provide an economic framework for the evaluation of existing thalassaemia control and management programmes.
More information can be found at: https://thalassaemia.org.cy/