Potential cost-avoidance with oral extended-release morphine sulfate tablets versus morphine sulfate solution

Area of Science:

• Pharmacoeconomics
• Pain Management
• Formulation Science

Background:

• Morphine sulfate is a common analgesic.
• Extended-release (ER) formulations aim to improve patient convenience and potentially reduce costs.
• Comparing the economic and logistical aspects of different morphine sulfate formulations is crucial for healthcare providers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the acquisition, preparation, and administration costs of morphine sulfate extended-release tablets versus morphine sulfate solution.
• To evaluate the time efficiency of administering these two morphine sulfate formulations in an acute-care setting.

Main Methods:

• Pharmacists at a community hospital timed the preparation and administration of single doses of morphine sulfate ER tablets (60 mg) and morphine sulfate solution (5 mg/mL).
• Labor costs were calculated using mean task times and median wage scales.
• Acquisition and ancillary supply costs were included to determine overall therapy costs.

Main Results:

• Total single-dose administration time did not differ significantly between formulations.
• For a total daily dose of 120 mg, administering morphine sulfate ER tablets twice daily required 8.90 minutes, compared to 23.44 minutes for the solution administered six times daily.
• Despite higher initial acquisition costs, the total daily therapy cost for ER tablets was less than half that of the solution.

Conclusions:

• Morphine sulfate extended-release tablets are a more cost-effective option for daily pain management compared to the solution, primarily due to reduced administration time.
• The clinical advantages and cost-avoidance potential make ER morphine sulfate tablets an attractive therapeutic choice.