Cost Analysis of Clinical Compounding in Saudi Arabia: Excipients and Vehicles of Pediatric Formulations

Objectives: To explore cost analysis of excipients of pediatric formulations in Saudi Arabia. Methods: It is a retrospective cost analysis of pediatric formulations at 300-beds pediatrics and maternity hospital in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia. The pharmacy section received the specific formulation from physician then the expert pharmacist applied the international standard of clinical compounding through by providing to healthcare staff over eight hours per days for five days per a week. The pediatric formulations consisted selected excipients of pediatric formulations. The analysis of the cost included the variable expenses included personal cost, material and supply cost. Fixed costs including direct costs, non-salary cost and overhead cost. The cost was derived from the Ministry of Health information database. All cost was used US dollar currency. The study analyzed the cost of excipients of pediatric formulations through the Microsoft Excel sheet version 10^th. Results: The estimated average total standard cost of pediatric formulations per hour was (53.82 USD and consisted of 58.58 % (31.53 USD) for personal cost, 25.14 % (13.53 USD) for overhead cost, 3.34% (1.8 USD) for material and supply cost, 12.93 % (6.96 USD) for non-salary cost. The average estimated cost of Simple Syrup per each preparation was (1.974USD). The total annual cost of simple syrup was (426.38 USD). The average estimated cost of methyl cellulose 1% plus simple syrup per each preparation was (3.721USD). The total annual cost of methyl cellulose 1% was (759.1USD). The average estimated cost of methyl cellulose 1% per each preparation was (2.5 USD). The total annual cost of methyl cellulose 1% was (584.8 USD). The average estimated cost of methyl cellulose 2% per each preparation was (3.655 USD). The total annual cost of Methyl Cellulose 2% (438.6 USD). Conclusion: This is the first of cost analysis of excipients of pediatric formulations in Saudi Arabia. Most of excipients of pediatric formulations products not registered in the famous countries. The hospital pharmacy updates annually all cost analysis of excipients pediatric formulations. The pharmacist should select the best and appropriate excipients for the formulations. The cost analysis project as part of updated the pharmacy strategic plan with new Saudi Vision 2030.