Sugammadex Vial Wastage: Implications for the Cost of Anesthesia Care in Children: Research Letter

Although pharmaceutical costs account for approximately 15% of the overall cost of anesthetic care, these expenses are frequently assumed to be due to the choice of anesthetic technique (general vs. regional) or the choice of medications used for anesthetic care.¹  Seldom addressed in measures to control care-related expenditures is the issue of medication wastage that occurs when a medication vial is opened but not used.¹  This waste represents a potential cost saving if the drug was not discarded, because unadministered drugs account for more than 25% of the anesthesia medication budget.¹ 

One of the more expensive medications used in anesthetic care is sugammadex, which is currently supplied in 200 mg/2 ml or 500 mg/5 ml vials. Because sugammadex vials are labeled single-dose or single-use only, the standard of care is that partially used or unadministered opened vials are discarded.²  Medication vial wastage is particularly common...