Background and importance The recent approval of bevacizumab biosimilar (Beva-Bs) raises the possibility of a more efficient drug therapy. Reference bevacizumab (Beva-Ref) was the cancer drug with the greatest impact in our health area in 2019.

Aim and objectives To evaluate the pharmacoeconomic impact of Beva-Ref in oncological therapy in 2019 and to analyse measures that promote its therapeutic optimisation, such as more efficient dosage regimens (DR) and implementation of Beva-Bs.

Material and methods This was a descriptive retrospective study made in a level II hospital. Farhos-v5.3.3 was used as the pharmacotherapeutic management tool for cancer patients treated with Beva-Ref during 2019. Economic data were collected from the Gestión–Farmatools module.

• Pharmacoeconomic analysis was done by therapeutic cost of Beva–Ref use in 2019. Therefore, cost/indication consumption and therapeutic scheme were recorded.

• Therapeutic optimisation measures analyses were conducted according to efficient DR, in concordance with the product monograph.

• Possibility of using Beva–Bs: hypothetical savings were estimated on 2019’s annual consumption, assuming switching to Beva–Bs: (a) 100% of patients; (b) only new patients.

• Variables (Excel): indication, new patient/continuation in 2019, therapeutic scheme and treatment time.

Results 58 patients were treated in 2019. Total cost was 710 842€ and according to indication: nine breast cancer 210 106€ (30%); 25 metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) 205 671€ (29%); and 11 ovarian cancer 165 346€ (23%). 41 patients (71%) started treatment with a total cost of 406 897€, mostly: 21 mCRC 169 274€ (42%); 4 breast cancer 74 139€ (18%); and 7 ovarian cancer 65 776€ (16%). Treatment continuations: 17 patients (29%) at a cost of 303 945€, mainly 5 breast cancer 135 967€ (45%), 4 ovarian cancer 99 570€ (33%) and 4 mCRC 36 396€ (12%). The most efficient DR in mCRC was prescribed 100%. In the remaining diagnoses, DR was achieved, except for ovarian/endometrial cancer, with agreement of 45% and 0%, respectively.

With respect to the possibility of using Beva-Bs: a saving of 312 800€ was estimated if switching to Beva-BS in all patients, with savings in breast cancer 92 450€, mCRC 90 500€ and ovarian cancer 72 750€. Considering only new patients, savings would be 179 000€, mostly mCRC, breast and ovarian cancer (74 500€, 32 600€ and 28 900€, respectively).

Conclusion and relevance The 2019 results showed efficient DR, and consequently the potential for cost containment, given the incorporation of Beva-Bs into our therapeutic arsenal, and would be key for universal access to the best therapeutic option.

Conflict of interest No conflict of interest