Cost analysis of antifungal drugs available in India: A pharmacoeconomic perspective
Journal Title: Indian Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology - Year 2016, Vol 3, Issue 4
Abstract
Introduction: Fungal infections are common and treatment imposes economic burden on the patients. The compliance of the patient may be significantly dependent on the cost of the prescribed medicines, especially in developing countries like India. Therefore, this study was conducted to analyze cost variation of drugs used for fungal infections. Aim and Objectives: To evaluate the cost of different brands of anti-fungal drugs available in India, and to analyze the variations in cost of same dosage of different brands of the same active drug. Material and Methods: Cost of a particular drug that is manufactured by different companies, in the same strength, number and dosage forms was obtained from Current Index of Medical Specialties, July-October 2016 and Drug Today, July-September 2016 and were analysed. Cost range, cost ratio and percentage cost variation were calculated. Correlation between percentage cost variation and number of companies manufacturing the drug was analysed by linear regression and Spearman correlation analysis. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result: The costs of a total of 8 antifungal drugs available in 18 different formulations were analysed and a substantial variation in cost was found. Fourteen drugs had percentage cost variation more than 100%, fluconazole 150 mg (10214%) had maximum percentage cost variation while griseofulvin 500 mg (42%) had minimum percentage cost variation. There was a linear relationship between no. of manufacturing companies and percentage cost variation and Spearman correlation analysis showed a statistically significant positive correlation between these two variables. Conclusion: The present study shows wide variation in the cost of the different brands of the same antifungal drugs manufactured by different companies. This adds to the economic burden for the patients. Ideally, generic drugs should be prescribed to decrease the healthcare cost and to enhance the compliance. Hence, the stakeholders should aim at decreasing the cost variation among different brands while maintaining the therapeutic efficacy.
Authors and Affiliations
Ashutosh Tiwari, Pooja Reddy, Chhaya Goyal
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP240761
- DOI -
- Views 119
- Downloads 0
Prescribing trends of drugs and WHO core indicators among patients of psoriasis in a tertiary care teaching hospital
Background: The trends of prescribing drugs in patients of psoriasis with an emphasis on WHO core prescribing indicators have never been studied previously in India. Hence the present study was planned to analyse the pre...
Analgesic activity of Terminalia bellerica fruit pulp aqueous extract by using acetic acid induced writhing test in Swiss albino mice by peripheral mechanism
Objective To evaluate analgesic activity of Terminalia bellerica fruit pulp aqueous extract by acetic acid induced writhing reflex test in Swiss albino mice by peripheral mechanism Materials and MethodsAlbino mice of Swi...
Central and Peripheral Antinociceptive Activity of Terminalia Belerica Fruit Pulp Aqueous Extract in Swiss Albino Mice
Background & Objectives: Pain is the most common disturbing symptom a person experiences in life. Many branded drugs are available in the market for relieving pain and moreover are sold over the counter but carries diffe...
Prescription pattern and adverse drug reaction profile of drugs prescribed in dermatology out-patient department at a tertiary care teaching hospital
Introduction: Skin diseases are chronic in nature and they require lifetime treatment. Prescription pattern reflects health professional attitude towards the disease and role of drugs in its treatment. The study of presc...
Effect of papaya leaves (Carica Papaya) suspension on Japanese quail (coturnix Japonica)
Introduction The experiment was aimed to investigate i the comparative efficacy of papaya leaves suspension PLS and doxycycline on bacterial load and blood constituents on E coli inoculated Japanese quail ii the effect o...