PP347 THE HEALTH ECONOMIC IMPACT OF ORAL NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS IN GERMANY

Abstract

Rationale: To assess the health economic impact of oral nutritional supplement (ONS), being a medical nutrition product, in the community setting in Germany. Methods: This health economic analysis is based on a comparison of the use of ONS versus “no ONS” in patients, who are eligible for ONS due to (risk of) disease-related malnutrition (DRM). The costs of the two treatment strategies, ONS versus “no ONS” were assessed using a linear decision analytic model reflecting cost functions related with DRM. Data sources are published literature, clinical trials, official national price/tariff lists and national population statistics. Results: This study shows that the extra costs for ONS (€534) are off-set by a reduction of hospitalisation costs (€ 768) leading to total cost savings of € 234 per patient. A scenario analysis based on length of stay (LOS) and per diem instead of Disease Related Group (DRG) costs shows that the extra costs for ONS (€ 534) are also off-set by a reduction of hospitalisation costs (€791) leading to cost savings of €257 per patient. The national cost savings vary between €604 million and €662 million respectively in the base case and scenario analysis. Conclusion: This health economic analysis shows that the use of ONS leads to higher effectiveness because of a reduction of hospitalisation, thereby leading to cost savings for the cost of DRM in Germany at patient level in the community setting. As a consequence the use of ONS can be considered cost-effective at a patient and population level.