ABSTRACT
Background: Hypertension is a serious global public health problem. It accounts for 10% of all deaths in India and is the leading non-communicable disease. Recent studies have shown that the prevalence of hypertension is 25% in urban and 10% in rural people in India. It exerts a substantial public health burden on cardiovascular health status and health care systems in India. Antihypertensive treatment effectively reduces hypertension related morbidity and mortality. The cost of medications has always been a barrier to effective treatment. The increasing prevalence of hypertension requires use of cost effective treatment for the effective management of the disease.Methods: Cost of a particular drug (cost per 10 tablets) in the same strength and dosage forms being manufactured by different companies was obtained from Current Index of Medical Specialties, Jan?April 2019 and “Indian Drug Review” (IDR) September 2018. Difference between the maximum and minimum cost of the same drug manufactured by different pharmaceutical companies was calculated and percentage cost variation was calculated.Results: The prices of a total of 24 drugs (15 single and 9 combination preparations), available in 59 different formulations were analysed. These 62 formulations are manufactured by different pharmaceutical companies.Conclusions: The average percentage price variation of different brands of the same oral antihypertensive drug manufactured in India is very wide. The appraisal and management of marketing drugs should be directed toward maximizing the benefits of therapy and minimizing negative personal and economic consequences.
ABSTRACT
Background: topical eye preparations are very commonly used in India for different eye diseases hence their prices should not be much different in Indian pharmaceutical industry. The common man therefore has to shell out more money with medicine prices spinning out of his reach. Aim of this study was to compare the cost of drugs of the different brand of topical ophthalmic drugs.Methods: cost of various topical eye preparations was compared using “Current Index of Medical Specialties” (CIMS) January-April 2019 and cost variation was recorded. Drugs were categorized into anti-infective and antiseptics, topical corticosteroids, mydriatics, anti-glaucoma drugs, anti-inflammatory and lubricants.Results: That of the 26 drug formulations studied, the percentage cost variation of 10 drug formulations was more than 100%, out of which one formulation of moxifloxacin had more than 1000% variation. Cost ratio of 10 drug formulations were more than two. Moxifloxacin 0.5% eye drops had maximum percentage cost variation of 5610.66% and cost ratio of 57.11, followed by ofloxacin 0.30% eye drops (310.92%, 4.11), timolol 0.50% eye drops (263.64%, 3.64), ciprofloxacin 0.30% eye drops (142.42%, 2.42), tobramycin 0.30% eye drops (120.14%, 2.20).Conclusions: There is a significant variation in the price of various topical eye preparations. As most of the preparations being prescribed on an out-patient basis, which was not covered under most of the insurance program. Out of pocket expenditure adversely affects the drug compliance in the long run. There should be a comprehensive action from policymakers, regulatory authorities, government agencies, doctors, pharmacists, and the general public to solve this issue of cost variation of drugs.
ABSTRACT
Background: Medicines are an integral part of healthcare. More than one drug is frequently used for treatment of either single ailment or multiple co-morbid conditions. Sometimes, two or more drugs are combined in a fixed ratio into a single dosage form, which is termed as fixed dose combinations (FDCs).Methods: This prospective observational study was carried out in the patients admitted in various medical and surgical wards of Chirayu hospital associated with Chirayu medical college of Bhopal district for a period of 3 months. The prescribed FDCs were collected from the case sheet of the admitted patients. Patients of all ages and both sexes were included in the study.Results: The total numbers of prescriptions from teaching hospital were 475, out of which 373 patients (78.52%) were prescribed FDCs. The first four most preferred FDCs were B complex preparations followed by pantoprazole + domperidone, Diclofenac+Paracetamol and Chlorpheniramine+Pseudo-ephedrine+Paracetamol.Conclusions: In present study total 11types of FDCs were prescribed, out of 11 FDCs prescribed; only 1 type was enlisted in the essential drug list of WHO and Govt. of India. In only 4 types of FDCs there is scientific justification for combining ingredients. Most of FDCs do not have scientific justification for combining the ingredients. It is the need of the time that hospitals should constitute drugs and therapeutics review committees to promote rational prescription of FDCs.