Cost of Medications, Preference and Willingness-to-Pay for Pain Relief among Adult Patients Diagnosed with Acute and Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Conditions

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To determine the current cost, medication preferences, willingness to pay for symptom relief and reduced adverse events of adult patients with acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain. @*Methods@#This was a cross-sectional study among adult Filipinos consulted for musculoskeletal conditions at Family Medicine Clinic. Data were collected through a questionnaire and a systematic sampling of respondents. @*Results@#The study had a total of 342 participants with degenerative osteoarthritis as the most common primary diagnosis. Twenty percent (N=69/342) were acutely symptomatic while 273/342 (80%) have chronic musculoskeletal pain. Most would prefer medicines at a lower price point, effectively reduces pain, fast onset of action, longer therapeutic effects and less adverse effects. Willingness-to-pay was at an average price of Php 86.11 (SD±15.47) per pill for complete symptom relief. @*Conclusion@#Adult Filipinos with musculoskeletal pain symptoms prefer pain medicines with good symptom control, less adverse event and were willing to pay for complete symptom relief at an average of eighty-six pesos per pill.