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ObjectiveTo assess the economic impact of introducing biosimilars of bevacizumab for the management of cancer patients receiving systemic bevacizumab in the National Health System (SNHS) of Spain.MethodsA 3-year budget impact analysis model was adapted to estimate the cost of introducing biosimilars of bevacizumab in the SNHS for the adult population who were candidates to receive treatment with bevacizumab. Values for the estimation of the population were obtained from the literature and were validated by an expert panel. In this analysis only pharmaceutical costs (€, year 2021) obtained from official databases were considered. A sensitivity analysis was performed to examine the robustness of the model.ResultsThe introduction of bevacizumab biosimilars would generate an annual cost saving of €11 558 268 (−5.1%) for the first year with a penetration share of biosimilars from 30.0%, €29 126 373 (−8.5%) for the second year with a share of 50.0% and €52 361 778 (−13.6%) for the third year with a share of 80.0%. The total pharmaceutical costs of the scenario without biosimilars are €227 033 352 for the first year, €342 663 209 for the second year and €385 013 076 for the third year. In contrast, the pharmaceutical costs of the scenario with bevacizumab biosimilars are €215 475 084, €313 536 836 and €332 651 297 for years 1, 2 and 3, respectively.ConclusionsThe introduction of biosimilars in the Spanish Health System would generate saving costs in the pharmacological budget to boost biological drugs from the first year.

BackgroundThe National Patient Safety Agency reported over 20 000 safety incidents over a 3-year period, including 68 severe harms and 27 deaths. Dose delays and omissions persistently contributed to more than 50% of the reported incidents.MethodsA pilot was designed and data were collected before and after to measure how these ward-based technician roles affected the reporting of omitted or delayed doses, time efficiency, cost implications and the general productivity of the ward.ResultsThree months after the start of the pilot, omitted doses were reduced from 14% to 5% and no incidents of harm had been reported. The ‘perfect medication ward round’ with no interruptions lasted 23 min compared with the longest medication ward round which lasted 116 min and was interrupted 11 times.ConclusionsThe pilot shows that the introduction of pharmacy technicians results in fewer omitted doses and also addresses persistent staffing issues by ensuring better use of nursing time.

BackgroundCommunity-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a frequent cause of morbidity, mortality and hospital admission worldwide. An adequate choice of empirical antibiotic treatment and appropriate severity assessment of the disease are key aspects in the management of CAP.ObjectiveTo audit the adherence to standards of care, such as empirical prescribing of antibiotics, and evaluate the current multidisciplinary approach to the management of CAP.MethodRecords of patients with CAP were identified and examined for CURB65 score documentation, discussion notes with microbiology and prescribed antibiotic treatments.ResultsOut of the 62 patients identified, 32 had a CURB65 score documented in their medical notes and 59 had documented chest X-ray findings. 85.5% of cases were compliant with antibiotic prescribing guidelines.ConclusionThe multidisciplinary approach has considerably improved compliance with most of the standards, especially adherence to empirical antibiotic guidelines, and ultimately the standard of care for patients with CAP.