Abstract
Background: The rheumatologists have several drugs to choose from, either alone or in combination; each with different costs, monitoring protocols, and potential risks and benefits. Pharmacoeconomic analysis results help rheumatologists choose drugs for their patients.
 Objective: Objective of this prospective observational study was to perform a cost-variation analysis of drugs prescribed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a Western-Indian tertiary care teaching hospital.
 Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in the rheumatology department of the study site. Study population included patients of both gender male and female, diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and on treatment. Prices of the drugs prescribed to the patients were obtained from different offline and online sources. The lowest and highest cost of brands in rupees (INR) for each drug, the cost ratio, percentage cost variation, and monthly cost for all the prescribed drugs were calculated.
 Results: In our study, out of total 142 patients, 93 were females and 49 were males and the mean age was 49.11±15.89 years. The majority of patients were prescribed with Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Frequently used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) was Diclofenac (n=48). A maximum cost ratio (15.6) was observed with prednisolone 5 mg TDS. The costliest and cheapest brand of prednisolone 5 mg TDS accounted for the maximum cost variability (1460%). Mean monthly cost varied among different drug classes.
 Conclusion: Average cost of illness of patient with RA was estimated to be in the range of 2406/month to 2858/month in the year 2021.
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