Economic evaluation of antibiotic prescriptions: a cost minimization analysis.

ABSTRACT

Objective of the study was to perform a cost minimization analysis of antibiotic prescriptions in pediatric cases.This was a prospective observational study conducted in the pediatric department of a teaching hospital. A total of 209 prescriptions, of both outpatients and inpatients, containing antibiotics were analyzed. Top five of the commonly prescribed antibiotics in this study were chosen as examples to illustrate the cost difference between the branded and generic versions. This study has shown a very significant difference of prices between branded and generic drugs. The cost of branded drugs prescribed was 20% to 218% more than the generic versions.