Economic impact of switching to licensed ready-to-administer injectable anaesthetic and critical care medicines in the National Health Service: a model-based evaluation of prefilled syringes.

Abstract

Licensed, ready-to-administer injectable medicines can reduce medication errors, minimise waste, and streamline perioperative workflows, but higher acquisition costs have limited uptake in England. This study evaluated the economic impact of switching selected anaesthetic and critical care medicines from conventional ampoules and vials to licensed prefilled syringes within NHS practice. An economic model compared current mixed-use practice with a hypothetical switch to 100% licensed ready-to-administer products for eight medicines: epinephrine 1 mg in 10 ml, ephedrine 30 mg, atropine 3 mg, rocuronium 100 mg in 10 ml, lidocaine (1% and 2%), and midazolam (5 mg in 5 ml and 50 mg in 50 ml). Modelled cost components included medicine acquisition, wastage, nursing preparation time, consumables and preventable adverse drug events. Preparation time reductions were interpreted as capacity release rather than workflow substitution. Deterministic sensitivity analyses explored variation in key assumptions and procurement thresholds. Under the modelling assumptions, epinephrine, ephedrine, atropine and lidocaine 2% were associated with reduced overall system costs of more than £5.3 million annually, largely driven by reduced wastage, preparation workload and modelled adverse drug events. Rocuronium and midazolam were associated with increased costs because of higher acquisition prices despite operational advantages. Sensitivity analyses did not alter the direction of findings. Substantial price reductions would be required for certain medicines to achieve cost neutrality. Licensed ready-to-administer injectable medicines can provide safety and workflow advantages and be associated with economic benefit. Acquisition cost remains a barrier, but broader adoption and market development could improve affordability.