Pharmacoeconomics: Open Access

Background: Since the emergence of the pandemic caused by Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), Social isolation is one of the measures adopted by the countries in order to flatten the curve, thus reducing the productive capacity of the affected cities, while allowing health systems to manage care capacity. The objective of this study was to estimate the economic losses due to COVID-19 in Peru. Methods: To estimate the economic loss, direct and indirect costs were determined from the health system perspective. The direct cost was represented by the expenses caused by the care provided by the health facility to the patient and the indirect cost is represented by the loss of economic production. Results: Of a total of 363 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Peru, the percentage of patients requiring hospitalization was 12.3%, and those requiring admission to Intensive Care was 3.9%. The direct cost was $1708 for each patient who received care in a hospital of the Ministry of health through the comprehensive health insurance (SIS); $2,300 if the patient received treatment from Social Security (EsSalud) and US $ 3,192 if he went to a private clinic. In relation to the indirect cost, it ranged from $1447.0 in the patients that are treated by the SIS to $4102.0 for each patient that is attended in private institutions. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that caring for a patient with COVID-19 imposes a heavy economic burden on Peru.