Redispensing oral anticancer drugs in Denmark (DANROAD): a national, multicentre, prospective implementation study...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Health Economics
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Unused oral anticancer drugs (OADs) incur significant financial and environmental costs in Denmark, with millions in medicines destroyed annually.
• Previous studies in the Netherlands demonstrated the feasibility and cost-saving potential of redispensing OADs.
• The Danish context for OAD redispensing has not yet been evaluated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the economic, environmental, and implementation feasibility of a national program for redispensing unused oral anticancer drugs in Denmark.
• To establish a sustainable model for managing unused OADs, minimizing waste and maximizing resource utilization.
• To inform policy and practice regarding medication waste management in oncology.

Main Methods:

• A national, multicentre, prospective observational study (DANROAD) with a pilot phase at Odense University Hospital followed by a national rollout.
• Enrollment of eligible patients (≥18 years, prescribed OADs for ≥3 months) following informed consent.
• Quality control and redispensing of returned, unused OADs, with outcomes measured by economic balance, environmental impact (greenhouse gas emissions), and acceptance.

Main Results:

• The study is designed to determine the net economic balance of redispensing OADs, comparing the value of redispensed drugs against operational costs.
• Secondary outcomes will quantify avoided greenhouse gas emissions using life cycle assessment.
• Qualitative analyses will assess patient and professional acceptance, alongside medication waste metrics like return and eligibility rates.

Conclusions:

• The DANROAD study will provide crucial data on the feasibility of a national OAD redispensing program in Denmark.
• Findings will guide the development of cost-saving and environmentally sustainable practices in cancer drug management.
• Successful implementation could significantly reduce medication waste and associated healthcare expenditures.