Evaluating the validity of the national list of essential medicines 2015 for medicines affecting blood in 2022: An observational cost analysis

Abstract

Objectives: The study aims at evaluating the validity of the national list of essential medicines (NLEM) 2015 for medicines affecting blood in 2022. The study essentially aims at conducting a cost analysis that mainly compares the cost variation between the highest and lowest priced branded variants of the same. Material and Methods: The study takes into account the aforementioned two classes of “Medicines Affecting Blood,” which is 10.1–antianemia medicines and 10.2–medicines affecting coagulation. Data were collected from MedGuideIndia, a database of medicines marketed in India. Both cost ratio and percentage cost variations were calculated. Results: Under 10.1–Antianemia medicines, hydroxycobalamin 2 ml injection (500 mcg/1 ml) has the highest percentage cost variation at 1451.72% and folic acid 5 mg tablets have the lowest percentage cost variation at 20.45%. Under 10.2– medicines affecting coagulation, phytomenadione 1 ml injection (10 mg/1 ml) has the highest percentage cost variation at 3784.46% and heparin 2 ml injection (1000 IU) has the lowest percentage cost variation at 10.4%. Conclusion: This study essentially reasons the need for the central drugs standard control organization and NPPI to intervene and appropriately modify the NLEM 2015 and introduce stricter rules and regulations, while ensuring that the appropriate price caps are both enforced and maintained for essential medicines.