An Observational Study for Cost Analysis in Post-angioplasty Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients in Tertiary Care Hospital

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is an emerging epidemic in our country and is adding economic burden to theexisting health-care system. Long duration prescriptions and cost of drugs are making treatment a luxury. This study aims toanalyze the cost-effectiveness of the prescription pattern in post-angioplasty ACS patients treated in the intensive care unit(ICU) at a tertiary care hospital.Purpose: The purpose of the study was to carry out the cost analysis to study the economic burden of prescriptions for thetreatment of ACS after angioplasty.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was performed on prescriptions of 600 patients of ACS treatedwith angioplasty at cardiac ICUs at J. J. Hospital Mumbai from September to October 2018 and analysis was carried out tofind out cost-effectiveness.Results: Maximum incidence was found in the 7th decade (31%) followed by the 6th decade (30.5%). 74.5% were males. A totalof 5972 drugs were analyzed which also included drugs incorporated in drug-eluting stents. An average number of drugsprescribed per prescription was 9.95 (minimum 9 and maximum 17). Nearly 56.29% of total drugs were exclusively prescribedfor ACS and 41.27% drugs were used as supportive treatment. Only 15.75% of total drugs were prescribed by generic name.Only 1/3rd of the prescribed drugs were available in hospital pharmacy. Cost analysis revealed the cost per prescription being4,422.58 Indian National Rupee (INR) of which 2,148.62 INR was borne by the patient.Conclusion: Most drugs are not prescribed by generic names and thus are unavailable in hospital pharmacy which increasesthe treatment cost. Studying the prescription pattern and making appropriate amendments in treatment policies will reduce thefinancial burden and lead to better health care.