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Cost analysis of antifungal drugs available in India: A pharmacoeconomic perspective

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Original Article

Author Details : Ashutosh Tiwari, Pooja Reddy, Chhaya Goyal

Volume : 3, Issue : 4, Year : 2016

Article Page : 192-196

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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.

Keywords: Pharmacoeconomics, Antifungal, Cost analysis, Brands, Cost variation

How to cite : Tiwari A, Reddy P, Goyal C, Cost analysis of antifungal drugs available in India: A pharmacoeconomic perspective. Indian J Pharm Pharmacol 2016;3(4):192-196

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