DO SOCIAL FACTORS IMPACT ON BIOLOGICS COSTS IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS? RESULTS FROM THE MOROCCAN RBSMR REGISTRY
S. Farih1, H. Rkain1,2, S. Fellous1, S. Ahid3, R. Abouqal4, T. Latifa1, I. Hmamouchi5,6, L. Achemlal7, I. El Bouchti8, A. EL Maghraoui9, I. Ghozlani10, H. Hassikou11, T. Harzy12, I. Linda13, O. Mkinsi14, R. Niamane15, R. Bahiri16, F. Allali1
1El Ayachi Hospital, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Department of Rheumatology B, Salé, Morocco
2Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Mohammed V University, Physiology Laboratory, Rabat, Morocco
3Mohammed V University, Research Team of Pharmacoeconomics & Pharmacoepidemiology, Rabat, Morocco
4Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University, Laboratory of Biostatistical, Clinical and Epidemiological Research, Rabat, Morocco
5Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University, Laboratory of Biostatistical, Clinical and Epidemiological Research, Rabat, Morocco
6Provincial Hospital of Temara, Department of Rheumatology, Temara, Morocco
7Military Hospital Mohammed V, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Department of Rheumatology, Rabat, Morocco
8Arrazi University Hospital, Department of Rheumatology, Marrakech, Morocco
9Private Medical Office, Private Medical Office, Rabat, Morocco
10Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital, Agadir, Morocco
11Military Hospital Moulay Ismail, Hassan II University Hospital, Department of Rheumatology, Meknès, Morocco
12Hassan II University Hospital, Department of Rheumatology, Fes, Morocco
13Mohammed VI University Hospital, Department of Rheumatology, Oujda, Morocco
14Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Department of Rheumatology, Casablanca, Morocco
15Military Hospital Avicenne, Mohammed VI University Hospital, Department of Rheumatology, Marrakech, Morocco
16El Ayachi Hospital, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Department of Rheumatology A, Salé, Morocco
Background:
Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the annual direct cost of biologics in rheumatoid arthritis and to evaluate the impact of social factors on biological use and costs.
Methods: Patients in the Moroccan register of biologicals (RBSMR) with available 1-year data were included. Variables related to socio-economic status, disease and biological were collected. Direct costs included prices of biologics, costs of infusions, and subcutaneous injections. Biological use and costs were compared based on social factors.
Results: Our study included 197 patients (female sex of 86.8%, mean age of 52.3 ± 11 years). Patients were on one of the following therapies: Rituximab (n=132), Tocilizumab (n=37) or TNF-blockers (n=28). 44.2% of included patients have the RAMED medical assistance (health insurance scheme for the economically underprivileged). Illiteracy was noted in 45.7% of cases. Median one-year direct costs per patient were €1,665 [€1,472 - €9,879].
There was no statistically significant difference in costs between men and women (p>0.05), between illiterate and literate (p>0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in costs between patients with the RAMED medical assistance scheme and other health insurances (p<0.01).
Conclusion: This study showed that Moroccan RA patients had equal access to biologics regardless of their gender or level of education. Indeed, the insurance system influence the costs of biologics. Accessibility of those expensive treatments in a developing country seems be explained by efforts of the Moroccan ministry of health who has allocated a substantial budget for biologic DMARDs for patients with RAMED in the tertiary structures in our country.
Disclosure of Interests: None declared
Citation: Ann Rheum Dis, volume 80, supplement 1, year 2021, page 992
Session: Public health, health services research, and health economics
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