Abstract

COST MINIMIZATION AND COST VARIATION ANALYSIS OF DYSLIPIDAEMIC AGENTS AVAILABLE IN INDIAN PHARMACEUTICAL MARKET

Sara Yeldhos*, Sanoop J., Priyanka S. and Mariya Yeldhos

Abstract

Background: Hyperlipidemia is a condition in which there are high levels of fat particles(lipids) in the blood, including triglycerides, cholesterol, cholesterol esters and phospholipids and or plasma lipoproteins including very and low-density lipoprotein, and decreased high-density lipoprotein levels. Hyperlipidemia always arises due to other underlying diseases, so it is essential to check into the secondary causes. Ideally the doctor should consider the prices of medications while prescribing for both ethical and economic reasons as the vast differences between different brands of same drug may create confusion among both physician and patient. Materials and Methods: The cost of the drugs are obtained from CIMS, July to Oct, 2019, and cost range, mean cost, cost ratio and percentage cost variation for individual drug brands was calculated. The cost of 7 oral preparations available are analyzed in this study. Results: There is a gross variation in the prices of branded drugs of dyslipidaemic agents in India. The highest cost range (393.1) and mean cost (335.14) is for Atorvastatin 80mg. The highest cost ratio is for Atorvastatin 20mg (8.159) and percentage price variation is for Atorvastatin 20mg(735.48). Conclusions: There is a huge price variation between the minimum and maximum cost among the different brands of the same drug. Government, pharmaceutical companies, regulatory authorities, physicians and pharmacist need to work together towards controlling the drug pricing and helping the patients in attaining optimum healthcare economic benefits.

Keywords: Dyslipidaemic agents, Cost minimization analysis, Cost ratio, Percentage cost variation, compliance.