Costs of genetic testing: Supporting Brazilian Public Policies for the incorporating of molecular diagnostic technologies

Abstract

This study identifies and describes the operating costs associated with the molecular diagnosis of diseases, such as hereditary cancer. To approximate the costs associated with these tests, data informed by Standard Operating Procedures for various techniques was collected from hospital software and a survey of market prices. Costs were established for four scenarios of capacity utilization to represent the possibility of suboptimal use in research laboratories. Cost description was based on a single site. The results show that only one technique was not impacted by rising costs due to underutilized capacity. Several common techniques were considerably more expensive at 30% capacity, including polymerase chain reaction (180%), microsatellite instability analysis (181%), gene rearrangement analysis by multiplex ligation probe amplification (412%), non-labeled sequencing (173%), and quantitation of nucleic acids (169%). These findings should be relevant for the definition of public policies and suggest that investment of public funds in the establishment of centralized diagnostic research centers would reduce costs to the Public Health System.

A recombinase polymerase amplification-lateral flow dipstick assay for rapid detection of the quarantine citrus pathogen in China, Phytophthora hibernalis

“… Note: aTypical hourly salary of skilled biological technicians at the plant quarantine departments of customs in Jiangsu and Shanghai, China.bn/a = not applicable.cEach TwistAmp ® nfo Kit (£240) includes 96 reactions.dMilenia HybriDetect one (pack of 100) costs £220.eTen percent on the total amount of direct costs was defined a priori, the losses of consumables that occur during the execution of techniques (Schlatter et al, 2015). fApproximate indirect costs of facility security and maintenance, purchase and maintenance of special equipment such as thermal cycler, gel electrophoresis system, and transilluminator, and electricity.…”

“…eTen percent on the total amount of direct costs was defined a priori, the losses of consumables that occur during the execution of techniques (Schlatter et al, 2015). …”

Peer Review #1 of "A recombinase polymerase amplification-lateral flow dipstick assay for rapid detection of the quarantine citrus pathogen in China, Phytophthora hibernalis (v0.1)"

“…d Milenia HybriDetect 1 (pack of 100) costs £220. e Ten percent on the total amount of direct costs was defined a priori, the losses of consumables that occur during the execution of techniques (Schlatter et al 2015). f Approximate indirect costs of facility security and maintenance, purchase and maintenance of special equipment such as thermal cycler, gel electrophoresis system, and transilluminator, and electricity Positive control: genomic DNA (10 ng per µL) of P. hibernalis isolate 9099; 1-6: inoculated, symptomatic fruits in the first repeat experiment; 7-9: inoculated, symptomatic fruits in the second repeat; 10-12: inoculated, asymptomatic fruits in the second repeat; Negative control: non-inoculated fruits.…”

Establishing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Unit in Resource Limited Setting: A Critical Analysis of Indian Council of Medical Research 2017 Guidelines

“…Facilities like viral assay, HLA typing, donor specific antibody screen, chimerism, fluorescent in situ hybridization, and drug levels can be outsourced to central laboratory. Establishing advanced and molecular lab will be a costly affair; central pooling of samples is possible and cost effective way [15]. However an audit for the need and cost effectiveness for all outsourced facility should be done regularly.…”