ABSTRACT
Background: Economic evaluation of pharmaceutical products is a must in developing countries like India as it helps in decision-making process and manufacture of cost-effective medicine. Pharmacoeconomic studies especially help lower socioeconomic for effective planning of their health budget. Very few studies comparing the cost-effectiveness of respiratory and gastrointestinal in our country; hence, this study was taken up to provide useful data. Aim and Objective: This study aims to evaluate existing price variations of different single used drugs under various brand names manufactured by different pharmaceutical industries in respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted for a period of 1 year by reviewing the cost of maximum and minimum price of a particular brand, % variation in maximum and minimum price of drugs, and Jan Aushadhi for generic drugs. Results were calculated by proper statistical analysis. Results: Brand price variations were found significantly. Three drugs showed price variation of <100%, 15 drugs had price ranging from 100 to 1000%, and six drugs had price variation greater than 1000% when compared with generic brands. Conclusion: Regular checks by government authorities can ensure all brand prices within the range of patients financial resources. Commonly used drugs from essential drug list, pricing policy should be implemented by drug price control organization.