Abstract

PROSPECTIVE STUDY ON COST MINIMISATION OF ANTI HYPERTENSIVE DRUGS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

A. R. Shabaraya, Rohan Shetty* and Suchetha Kumari

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Abstract

Hypertension, persistent increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure is one of the diseases that has severe impact on body and economy. Pharmacoeconomic evaluations can be applied to review the value of treatments, compare the medical cost and health outcomes associated with new medicines to the price. Main aim and objective of our study was to find out the prescribing patterns of antihypertensives along with the pharmacoeconomic analysis of anti-hypertensive drug. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Dakshina Kannada for period of 6 months. 150 hypertensive patients who were on at least one antihypertensive medication, admitted to in-patient department were included for pharmacoeconomic analysis during the study period. Results: According to the study, 54% of hypertensive subjects were above 60- 75 years of age. 86% of prescription had more than 6 drugs. Majority of total direct cost was attributed to medication and medical cost (44%). On cost comparison of generic, Jan Aushadhi and branded drugs, generic and Jan Aushadhi drugs are comparatively less expensive; providing the same efficacy as branded drugs. Prescribing Jan Aushadhi and generic drugs will lead to reduction in total medical cost thus reducing the economic burden which will indirectly lead to increase in adherence of patients to the therapy. Conclusion: Among direct expenses, medication cost was a major contributor for healthcare expenditures in hypertension. Cost minimization method includes comparison among different generic medications which suggested that Jan Aushadhi drugs were comparatively cheaper. Treatment becomes the major hurdle hence decreasing the cost of therapy will enhance the health outcome.

Keywords: Antihypertensive drugs; Pharmacoeconomic analysis; Jan Aushadhi; Generic Drugs.